slit

noun \ ˈslit \

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Examples: slit in a Sentence

Definition of slit

: a long narrow cut or opening

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slit

adjective

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slitless

play \ˈslit-ləs\ adjective

See slit defined for English-language learners

Examples of slit in a Sentence

You could see through the slit in the fence.
The skirt has a slit on one side.
a dress with a slit skirt

Recent Examples of slit from the Web

Three weeks later, Manuel Antonio Cano-Pacheco was dead, his throat slit in his native Mexico, the Des Moines Register reports.

— CBS News, "Teen escorted from U.S. by ICE slain soon after in Mexico: Report," 8 June 2018
Two slits, one tie-belt, lots of buttons, not many dollars.

— dale hrabi, WSJ, "5 Vacation-Worthy Summer Dresses," 7 June 2018
He had been severely beaten, his throat slit, his genitals torched.

— david ovalle, behdad mahichi and nick eagland, miamiherald, "Where's the ex-MMA fighter wanted for murder in Miami? He's living openly in Canada | Miami Herald," 24 May 2018
The floor-length black gown was designed by Christian Siriano and featured an asymmetrical neckline, silver studs on the Maleficent-esque collar, a wide leather belt around the waist, and a high slit up her left leg.

— andrea park, Allure, "Kelly Clarkson Debuted a Sleek Lob on the 2018 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet," 20 May 2018
Now, Markle's gown didn't quite have a slit like Bessette Kennedy's, but the aesthetic is clearly there.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle's Wedding Dress Pays Tribute to Her Style Icon Carolyn Bessette Kennedy," 19 May 2018
The veil-come-cape had slits for the actress' arms, and came together in a tulle gather at the back that cascaded into her train.

— carrie goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Bosworth Recreated Her Bridal Look for the Met Gala Red Carpet," 7 May 2018
The windows—two rectangular slits on each floor—are usually covered by metal shades that give the building the appearance of a military bunker.

— grant wahl, SI.com, "Masters of Modern Soccer: Christian Pulisic and the Craft of the Attacking Midfielder," 1 May 2018
Measuring Cups Medium Bowl Microplane Tongs Cutting Board Small Saucepan Box Grater Cut shallow slits in each sausage link, then remove sausage from casings; transfer sausage to a medium bowl.

— claire saffitz, Bon Appetit, "Low-Commitment Wedding Soup," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of slit

Middle English, from slitten

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

slit Synonyms

Synonyms

gash, incision, laceration, rent, rip, slash, tear;

Related Words

abrasion, score, scrape, scratch;

injury, wound;

crack, fracture, rupture, snag;

slit

verb

Definition of slit

slit; slitting

transitive verb

1 a : to make a slit in

b : to cut off or away : sever

c : to form into a slit

2 : to cut into long narrow strips

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slitter

noun

See slit defined for English-language learners

See slit defined for kids

Examples of slit in a Sentence

I slit the bag open at the top.
The bag of seeds had been slit open.

Recent Examples of slit from the Web

But when the boy died, Martinson laid him in a bed, then slit his own wrists to attempt suicide.

— michael kiefer, azcentral, "Man arrested in Wisconsin in 2004 overdose death of 5-year-old son," 15 June 2018
Messer said Bakker attempted to commit suicide in 2014 by slitting his arm, an act that required 100 stitches.

— amanda marrazzo, McHenry County, "McHenry County man who killed dad — then told callers he was unable to come to the phone — gets 45 years," 11 June 2018
An autopsy determined she was beaten and strangled and that her throat had been slit.

— jason meisner, chicagotribune.com, "Sheriff seeks sanctions against indicted Backpage owners, alleging their suit was a 'fraud on the court'," 26 Apr. 2018
To harvest larger amounts of juice, cut a leaf or leaves off as close to the stem of the plant as possible, slit each leaf lengthwise with a sharp knife, and then use a spoon to scrape the gel-like juice out of each half.

— jean nick, Good Housekeeping, "It's Incredibly Easy To Grow Healing Aloe Vera At Home—Here's How," 14 Apr. 2017
For the moment, however, the angelic satin sheen felt right for a VS party, while the cut-up-to-there slit added another appropriate twist.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Gigi Hadid Wore an Actual Wedding Dress Out on the Town," 1 June 2018
French banker Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet, who had invested over $1 billion of his aristocratic clients’ money with Madoff, took sleeping pills, then slit his wrists and left bicep with a box cutter.

— kaitlin menza, Town & Country, "How Bernie Madoff Took His Family Down," 19 May 2017
To remove, using small scissors, cut a slit through the shell and just a bit into the flesh along the back.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "National Shrimp Day: How to buy, store and cook the seafood favorite," 9 May 2018
Fans loved that Ashley showed off her curves, which isn't a big surprise, the model is known for championing body positive vibes and inclusivity in the fashion industry, and her dramatic leg slit stole the show, giving us major outfit envy.

— marina liao, Marie Claire, "Twitter Loved Ashley Graham's Goddess Look at the Met Gala," 8 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of slit

Middle English slitten; akin to Middle High German slitzen to slit, Old High German slīzan to tear apart, Old English sciell shell — more at shell

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year