slit
Americanverb (used with object)
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to cut apart or open along a line; make a long cut, fissure, or opening in.
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to cut or rend into strips; split.
noun
verb
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to make a straight long incision in; split open
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to cut into strips lengthwise
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to sever
noun
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a long narrow cut
-
a long narrow opening
Other Word Forms
- slitless adjective
- slitlike adjective
- slitter noun
Etymology
Origin of slit
1175–1225; Middle English slitte (noun), slitten (v.); cognate with German schlitzen to split, slit; akin to Old English slite a slit, geslit a bite, slītan to split; slice
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.
Doctors did not expect Roy Daines to live past childhood after being born with a heart problem and a slit in his left lung.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2025
Female cicadas make long slits in twigs, laying 20 eggs in each slit, up to 600 eggs in total.
From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2024
And yet, even though the "Game of Thrones" alum's dress did have a slit, her comments are still valid.
From Salon • Apr. 16, 2024
In the final look, a deep slit in a long wool sheath allowed a model to hit her stride — just like De Sarno.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024
Scipio opened die envelope with great ceremony; he slit it open with his penknife while the others, sitting on the folding seats in front of him, watched with rapt anticipation.
From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke
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.
