slit

1 of 2

noun

ˈslit 

: a long narrow cut or opening

slit adjective

a slit skirt [=a skirt with a vertical slit at the hem]

slitless

ˈslit-ləs 

adjective

slit

2 of 2

verb

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

slitter noun

Synonyms of slit

Noun

• tear
• incision
• slash
• gash

Verb

• slice
• slash
• rip
• cut
• pierce

Examples of slit in a Sentence

Noun

You could see through the slit in the fence.

The skirt has a slit on one side.

a dress with a slit skirt

Verb

I slit the bag open at the top.

The bag of seeds had been slit open.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The material is lightweight with short sleeves and slits on each side that provide a great cooling effect when walking. — Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026

Charlize Theron, who takes on the role of the temptress nymph Calypso, has leaned toward the seductive, wearing Tom Ford short-shorts on one carpet and a black Givenchy dress with a thigh-high slit on another. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Verb

The repeat was a cleaner A-line style with a round neckline, flared sleeves and a center slit through the midi skirt. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

And when her enemies slept, her forces crept into their camps and slit their throats. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from slitten

Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing slit

• gill slit
• slit one's wrists
• slit trench

Rhymes for slit

• bit
• brit
• britt
• chit
• fit
• flit
• grit
• hit
• it
• kitt
• knit
• lit

Kids Definition

slit

1 of 2 verb

ˈslit 

slit; slitting

1

a

: to make a slit in : slash

b

: to cut off or away : sever

2

: to cut into long narrow strips

slitter noun

slit

2 of 2 noun

: a long narrow cut or opening

slit adjective

slitless

-ləs

adjective