slew

noun

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\ ˈslü

Definition of slew

(Entry 1 of 4)

: a large number a slew of books

slew

Definition of slew (Entry 2 of 4)

past tense of slay

slew

verb

\ ˈslü

variants: or less commonly slue

slewed also slued; slewing also sluing; slews also slues

Definition of slew (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to turn (something, such as a telescope or a ship's spar) about a fixed point that is usually the axis

2 : to cause to skid : veer slew a car around a turn

intransitive verb

1 : to turn, twist, or swing about : pivot

2 : skid

slew

Definition of slew (Entry 4 of 4)

less common spelling of slough entry 1 1b

Synonyms & Antonyms Did you know? More Example Sentences Learn More About slew

Did you know?

Slew appeared as an American colloquialism in the early 19th century. Its origins are unclear, but it is perhaps taken from the Irish slua, a descendant of Old Irish slúag, meaning "army," "host," or "throng." Slew has several homographs (words that are spelled alike but different in meaning, derivation, or pronunciation) in English. These include: slew as the past tense of the verb slay; slew as a spelling variant of slough, a word which is also commonly pronounced \SLOO\ and which means "swamp," "an inlet on a river," or "a creek in a marsh or tide flat"; and the verb slew, meaning "to turn, veer, or skid."