slew

noun

\ ˈslü

How to pronounce slew (audio)

\

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

How to pronounce slew (audio)

\

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."

Examples of slew in a Sentence

Noun

He has written a slew of books. we still have a slew of work to do on this project

Verb

He slewed the telescope three degrees south.

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Time Traveler for slew

The first known use of slew was circa 1769

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More Definitions for slew

slew

noun

English Language Learners Definition of slew

(Entry 1 of 2)

informal : a large number of people or things

slew

verb

English Language Learners Definition of slew (Entry 2 of 2)

: to turn or slide in another direction very quickly

See the full definition for slew in the English Language Learners Dictionary

slew

Kids Definition of slew

past tense of slay

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WORD OF THE DAY

writhe

to move or proceed with twists and turns

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