slather

1 of 2

noun

slath·​er ˈsla-t͟hər 

: a great quantity

—often used in plural

slather

2 of 2

verb

slathered; slathering ˈsla-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈslat͟h-riŋ

transitive verb

1

: to use or spend in a wasteful or lavish manner : squander

2

a

: to spread thickly or lavishly

slathered sunscreen on her skin

b

: to spread something thickly or lavishly on

slathered her skin with sunscreen

Examples of slather in a Sentence

Verb

We ate lobster slathered with butter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But others prefer peanut butter and banana, often keeping the slather of mayonnaise for good measure. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025

About an hour ferry ride from Milazzo, Vulcano lures visitors with its active volcano, Gran Cratere, and open-air mud baths just steps from the port, where bathers slather on the mineral-rich goodness before rinsing in the sea. —Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2025

Verb

Consider the house made bread with wheatgrass butter—slathered on a piece of seeded sourdough that is as pillowy as a down comforter. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Before slathering a new moisturizer all over your face, do a quick patch test on your neck or the back of your hand. —Allure, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for slather

• gather
• lather
• rather