slather

American  

[slath-er] / ˈslæð ər /

verb (used with object)

1. to spread or apply thickly.

   to slather butter on toast.

2. to spread something thickly on (usually followed bywith ).

   to slather toast with butter.

3. to spend or use lavishly.

---

noun

1. Often slathers. a generous amount.

   slathers of money.

idioms

1. open slather, complete freedom.

slather British  

/ ˈslæðə /

noun

1. informal (usually plural) a large quantity

2. slang a situation in which there are no restrictions; free-for-all

---

verb

1. to squander or waste

2. to spread thickly or lavishly

Etymology

Origin of slather

1810–20, in sense “to slip, slide”; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Rather than try one of the many remedies being promoted online, she slathered her neck with a retinol face cream and wrapped it in plastic wrap from her kitchen.

From The Wall Street Journal

Figuring out with him how everything works—the movie is slathered with science talk that greatly enhances the credibility—is a pleasure.

From The Wall Street Journal

She took handfuls of mud and slathered it on his face so he looked like a piglet in a mud puddle.

From Literature

Suncream's being slathered on, high-fives are flowing as freely as the cold drinks.

From BBC

First off, if you wet it and slather it on, it’s white and foamy and would just look silly.

From Literature

Related Words

• apply
• brush
• caress
• clean
• coat
• cover
• glaze
• graze
• grind
• knead
• paint
• pat
• scrape
• scrub
• smear
• smooth
• spread
• wear
• wipe