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slur

noun (1)
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\ ˈslər How to pronounce slur (audio) \

Definition of slur

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1a : an insulting or disparaging remark or innuendo : aspersion
b : a shaming or degrading effect : stain, stigma
2 : a blurred spot in printed matter : smudge

slur

verb (1)
slurred; slurring

Definition of slur (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to cast aspersions on : disparage slurred his reputation
2 : to make indistinct : obscure

intransitive verb

: to slip so as to cause a slur —used of a sheet being printed

slur

verb (2)
slurred; slurring

Definition of slur (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to slide or slip over without due mention, consideration, or emphasis slurred over certain facts
b : to perform hurriedly : skimp let him not slur his lesson— R. W. Emerson
2 : to perform (successive tones of different pitch) in a smooth or connected manner
3a : to reduce, make a substitution for, or omit (sounds that would normally occur in an utterance)
b : to utter with such reduction, substitution, or omission of sounds his speech was slurred

intransitive verb

1 dialectal, chiefly England : slip, slide
2 : drag, shuffle

slur

noun (2)

Definition of slur (Entry 4 of 4)

1a : a curved line connecting notes to be sung to the same syllable or performed without a break
b : the combination of two or more slurred tones
2 : a slurring manner of speech

First Known Use of slur

Noun (1)

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1660, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1660, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

circa 1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for slur

Noun (1)

obsolete English dialect slur thin mud, from Middle English sloor; akin to Middle High German slier mud

Verb (2)

probably from Low German slurrn to shuffle; akin to Middle English sloor mud

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Dictionary Entries Near slur

slup

slur

slurb

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Cite this Entry

“Slur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slur. Accessed 25 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for slur

slur

noun
\ ˈslər How to pronounce slur (audio) \

Kids Definition of slur

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: an insulting remark

slur

verb
slurred; slurring

Kids Definition of slur (Entry 2 of 3)

: to speak in a way that is difficult to understand

slur

noun

Kids Definition of slur (Entry 3 of 3)

: a way of talking that is difficult to understand

More from Merriam-Webster on slur

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slur

Nglish: Translation of slur for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of slur for Arabic Speakers

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