slur
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to pass over lightly or without due mention or consideration (often followed byover ).
The report slurred over her contribution to the enterprise.
-
to pronounce (a syllable, word, etc.) indistinctly by combining, reducing, or omitting sounds, as in hurried or careless utterance.
-
to cast aspersions on; calumniate; disparage; depreciate.
The candidate was viciously slurred by his opponent.
-
Music.
-
to sing to a single syllable or play without a break (two or more tones of different pitch).
-
to mark with a slur.
-
-
Chiefly British Dialect. to smirch, sully, or stain.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a slurred utterance or sound.
-
a disparaging remark or a slight: an ethnic slur against people of Irish descent.
quick to take offense at a slur;
an ethnic slur against people of Irish descent.
- Antonyms:
- compliment
-
a blot or stain, as upon reputation.
a slur on his good name.
-
Music.
-
the combination of two or more tones of different pitch, sung to a single syllable or played without a break.
-
a curved mark indicating this.
-
-
Printing. a spot that is blurred or unclear as a result of paper, plate, or blanket slippage.
verb
-
(often foll by over) to treat superficially, hastily, or without due deliberation; gloss
-
(also intr) to pronounce or utter (words, etc) indistinctly
-
to speak disparagingly of or cast aspersions on
-
music to execute (a melodic interval of two or more notes) smoothly, as in legato performance
-
(also intr) to blur or smear
-
archaic to stain or smear; sully
noun
-
an indistinct sound or utterance
-
a slighting remark; aspersion
-
a stain or disgrace, as upon one's reputation; stigma
-
music
-
a performance or execution of a melodic interval of two or more notes in a part
-
the curved line ( or ) indicating this
-
-
a blur or smear
Other Word Forms
- unslurred adjective
Etymology
Origin of slur
First recorded in 1595–1605; of multiple origins; in the sense “pass over without due consideration,” compare Low German slurren “to shuffle,” Dutch sleuren “to trail, drag”; in the sense “blot or stain,” compare Middle Dutch slore ( Dutch sloor ) “sluttish woman”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jones, who also directed Nanny McPhee and My Big Fat Wedding 2, told the newspaper he had assumed the slur would not be broadcast, and went on to celebrate the film's win that evening.
From BBC
The slur was involuntarily blurted by John Davidson, whose life experience dealing with Tourette syndrome inspired the film “I Swear.”
From Los Angeles Times
On Tuesday, the corporation's chief content officer Kate Phillips told staff the BBC took "full responsibility" for what happened, adding that another racial slur had been edited out of the broadcast.
From BBC
Google's content system recognised the slur being used within many pieces of online content.
From BBC
But in a letter to the corporation, the MP for Brent Central said the BBC "could have prevented" the slur being broadcast "given the programme was aired on a two-hour delay."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
