slam

[ slam ]

/ slæm /

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See synonyms for: slam / slammed / slamming on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object), slammed, slam·ming.

to shut with force and noise: to slam the door.

to dash, strike, knock, thrust, throw, slap down, etc., with violent and noisy impact: He slammed his books upon the table.

Informal. to criticize harshly; attack verbally: He slammed my taste mercilessly.

noun

a violent and noisy closing, dashing, or impact.

the noise so made.

Usually the slam .Slang. slammer (def. 2).

Informal. a harsh criticism; verbal attack: I am sick of your slams.

Informal.

Also called poetry slam . a competitive, usually boisterous poetry reading.
a usually competitive performance involving multiple performers with short acts: puppet slams; a tap dance slam.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of slam

First recorded in 1650–60; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish slamra “to bang (a door), slam”

OTHER WORDS FROM slam

un·slammed, adjective

Words nearby slam

slàinte mhath, slake, slaked lime, slaker, slalom, slam, slam-bang, slam dance, slam dunk, slammer, slamming

Other definitions for slam (2 of 2)

slam²

[ slam ]

/ slæm /

noun Cards.

the winning or bidding of all the tricks or all the tricks but one in a deal.Compare grand slam (def. 1), little slam.

an old type of card game associated with ruff.

Origin of slam

First recorded in 1660–70; perhaps special use of slam¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use slam in a sentence

That moment endeared me to the fierce front woman and former slam poet.
Tarriona “Tank” Ball’s Playlist is Pure Friend Goals|Brande Victorian|February 19, 2021|Essence.com
Members of the Texas Rangers once chastised him for turning a 3-0 pitch into a grand slam in a game the Padres were winning handily — in other words, for not holding back.
The Fernando Tatis Jr. deal is huge, but so are the Padres’ ambition and baseball’s expectations|Chelsea Janes|February 18, 2021|Washington Post
At-home tech, however, isn’t always a slam dunk, so brands have to be keenly aware of the marketplace and be agile when it comes to what they are providing.
L’Oréal eyes at-home tech market to accelerate its DTC plan|Seb Joseph|January 19, 2021|Digiday
Beal gave Bryant the critique, and one play later, the guard found Bryant under the basket for the slam.
Thomas Bryant is making the leap by controlling his emotions. Westbrook and Beal help, too.|Ava Wallace|January 6, 2021|Washington Post

He also made his first All-Star Game, where he won the slam dunk contest, which featured a team format for the first time.
The greatest moments of John Wall’s decade with the Wizards|Scott Allen|December 3, 2020|Washington Post
That may be, but experts say that “similarities” to other attacks is hardly a slam dunk.
FBI Won’t Stop Blaming North Korea for Sony Hack -- Despite New Evidence|Shane Harris|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The bar also claims that it hosted the first-ever poetry slam 28 years ago.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the information that the FBI has presented so far strikes many experts as hardly a slam dunk against Pyongyang.
Cyberwar on North Korea Could Be Illegal|Shane Harris|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Apparently, 2016 is not shaping up as a Democratic slam dunk.
2016 Is No Democratic Slam Dunk|Lloyd Green|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the President is seeking a way to court Republicans, alcohol is a slam-drunk.
The Booze That Saved America|Kevin Bleyer|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She glanced uneasily at Gwynne and fancied she could hear him slam the lid of his breeding upon a supercilious sputter.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Expectantly I follow his movements; I recognize the vigorous slam of the door and the click of the spring lock.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
Something in the way she said it made it sound like a little slam on the boss, and of course I wasn't going to stand for that.
The Wreckers|Francis Lynde
Into the hut bounded Frank, and the door went to with a slam.
Frank Merriwell's Bravery|Burt L. Standish
After eating the supper Madge prepared for him, he shuffled out, permitting the kitchen door to slam behind him.
The Missing Formula|Mildred A. Wirt, AKA Ann Wirt

British Dictionary definitions for slam (1 of 3)

slam¹

/ (slæm) /

verb slams, slamming or slammed

to cause (a door or window) to close noisily and with force or (of a door, etc) to close in this way

(tr) to throw (something) down noisily and violently

(tr) slang to criticize harshly

(intr; usually foll by into or out of) informal to go (into or out of a room, etc) in violent haste or anger

(tr) to strike with violent force

(tr) informal to defeat easily

noun

the act or noise of slamming

slang harsh criticism or abuse

Word Origin for slam

C17: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse slamra, Norwegian slemma, Swedish dialect slämma

British Dictionary definitions for slam (2 of 3)

slam²

/ (slæm) /

noun

the winning of all (grand slam) or all but one (little slam or small slam) of the 13 tricks at bridge or whist
the bid to do so in bridgeSee grand slam, little slam

an old card game

Word Origin for slam

C17: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for slam (3 of 3)

slam³

/ (slæm) /

noun

a poetry contest in which entrants compete with each other by reciting their work and are awarded points by the audience

Word Origin for slam

C20: origin unknown

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

slam

Origin of slam

OTHER WORDS FROM slam

Words nearby slam

Other definitions for slam (2 of 2)

Origin of slam

Words related to slam

How to use slam in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for slam (1 of 3)

Word Origin for slam

British Dictionary definitions for slam (2 of 3)

Word Origin for slam

British Dictionary definitions for slam (3 of 3)

Word Origin for slam