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slam
1[ slam ]
/ slĂŠm /
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verb (used with or without object), slammed, slam·ming.
noun
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 asâŠ
Origin of slam
1First recorded in 1650â60; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish slamra âto bang (a door), slamâ
OTHER WORDS FROM slam
un·slammed, adjectiveWords nearby slam
slĂ inte mhath, slake, slaked lime, slaker, slalom, slam, slam-bang, slam dance, slam dunk, slammer, slamming
Other definitions for slam (2 of 2)
slam2
[ slam ]
/ slĂŠm /
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
2First recorded in 1660â70; 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
British Dictionary definitions for slam (1 of 3)
slam1
/ (slĂŠm) /
verb slams, slamming or slammed
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 slÀmma
British Dictionary definitions for slam (2 of 3)
slam2
/ (slĂŠm) /
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
/ (slĂŠm) /
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
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