slouch

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: an awkward fellow : lout
b
: one that is unimpressive
especially : a lazy or incompetent person
used in negative constructions
was no slouch at cooking
2
: a gait or posture characterized by an ungainly stooping of the head and shoulders or excessive relaxation of body muscles

slouch

2 of 2

verb

slouched; slouching; slouches

intransitive verb

1
: to walk, stand, or sit with a slouch : assume a slouch
2
: droop
3
: to go or move slowly or reluctantly

transitive verb

: to cause to droop
slouched his shoulders
sloucher noun

Example Sentences

Noun She walks with a slouch. is no slouch when it comes to cooking Verb Sit up straight. Please don't slouch. She slouched into the room. The boy was slouching over his school books.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There is cause for concern — Spielberg is only a producer this time around, and Ford is 80 years old — but Ford still has his movie star chops, Phoebe Waller-Bridge is along for the ride, and the director this time around, James Mangold, is no slouch. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2023 Game 3 proved the Hawks are no slouch and this wouldn’t be a cakewalk series. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Apr. 2023 In fairness, the Williams family’s named, Grade 2 pile, Woodland House, at 31 Melbury Road is no slouch of a thing. Guy Martin, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2022 DeWalt’s feather weight chainsaw (6.2 pounds with a 3-Ah battery) is no slouch. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 25 Apr. 2023 The car’s cargo capacity is no slouch, either, offering over 11 cubic feet of storage space (3.5 cubic feet more than its predecessor). Victoria Hunt, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2023 Saturday was no slouch, either: K-pop’s Blackpink more than earned its headline slot, and sets from boygenius, Rosalía, Calvin Harris, the Breeders and Ethel Cain were standouts. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2023 The gasoline engine is no slouch, but the Duramax powertrain is the one to get for those who regularly tow heavy loads. Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 14 Apr. 2023 But Evo is no slouch. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2023
Verb
There are also apps and gadgets on the market that help send you little reminders to stop slouching. Women's Health, 17 May 2023 Richardson furrowed his brow and slouched in the armchair, surrounded by the trappings of a life spent in interesting company: A guitar signed by the Eagles sits near a rug bearing the New Mexico state seal from his former job. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2023 Some of our testers were prone to back and shoulder pain, while others just wanted to find a quality seat cushion that prevented them from slouching. Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 Mar. 2023 Gossip hunters will slouch off in frustration, and good luck to them; on the other hand, anyone who delights in listening to Berryman, and who can’t help wondering how the singer becomes the songs, will find much to treasure here, in these garrulous and pedantic pages. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2020 This characteristic makes this seat cushion ideal for anyone who is prone to slouching while sitting at their desk or while watching TV. Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 Mar. 2023 Sit up properly and don't slouch. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2023 Duong, skinny, tattooed and shirtless, slouches on the side of a bed in what appears a wary and subservient position. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023 Any fears that motion pictures, in their current form, might be slouching toward extinction were artfully and cheerfully concealed. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slouch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1754, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slouch was in 1515

Dictionary Entries Near slouch

Cite this Entry

“Slouch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slouch. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

slouch

1 of 2 noun
1
: an awkward, lazy, or unqualified person
2
: a manner of walking, sitting, or standing characterized by an awkward stooping of head and shoulders

slouch

2 of 2 verb
: to walk, sit, or stand with a slouch
sloucher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on slouch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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