slew

noun

\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

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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."