slur

[slur]

verb (used with object)

slurred, slurring 

1. to pass over lightly or without due mention or consideration (often followed byover ).

   The report slurred over her contribution to the enterprise.

   Synonyms: gloss, disregard, slight

2. to pronounce (a syllable, word, etc.) indistinctly by combining, reducing, or omitting sounds, as in hurried or careless utterance.

3. to cast aspersions on; calumniate; disparage; depreciate.

   The candidate was viciously slurred by his opponent.

   Synonyms: asperse, slander

4. Music.

   1. to sing to a single syllable or play without a break (two or more tones of different pitch).

   2. to mark with a slur.

5. Chiefly British Dialect.,  to smirch, sully, or stain.

verb (used without object)

slurred, slurring 

1. to read, speak, or sing hurriedly and carelessly.

noun

1. a slurred utterance or sound.

2. 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.

   Synonyms: affront, insult, innuendo
   Antonyms: compliment

3. a blot or stain, as upon reputation.

   a slur on his good name.

   Synonyms: disgrace, stigma

4. Music.

   1. the combination of two or more tones of different pitch, sung to a single syllable or played without a break.

   2. a curved mark indicating this.

5. Printing.,  a spot that is blurred or unclear as a result of paper, plate, or blanket slippage.

slur

/ slɜː /

verb

1. (often foll by over) to treat superficially, hastily, or without due deliberation; gloss

2. (also intr) to pronounce or utter (words, etc) indistinctly

3. to speak disparagingly of or cast aspersions on

4. music to execute (a melodic interval of two or more notes) smoothly, as in legato performance

5. (also intr) to blur or smear

6. archaic,  to stain or smear; sully

noun

1. an indistinct sound or utterance

2. a slighting remark; aspersion

3. a stain or disgrace, as upon one's reputation; stigma

4. music

   1. a performance or execution of a melodic interval of two or more notes in a part

   2. the curved line ( or ) indicating this

5. a blur or smear

Other Word Forms

• unslurred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slur¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of slur¹

C15: probably from Middle Low German; compare Middle Low German slūren to drag, trail, Middle Dutch sloren, Dutch sleuren

Example Sentences

He didn’t plan this slur, but clearly he meant it and did not care who heard it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Gonzalez alleged that a man approached them, “started yelling violent homophobic slurs” and “raised a gun from his lap and fired.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Reform's only Welsh Parliament member has been banned from the Senedd chamber for 14 days after using a racial slur to describe Chinese people.

Read more on BBC

So while attending inferior schools was humiliating, doing so also protected us from some of the violent threats, demeaning taunts, and racial slurs that Colored people commonly faced during segregation.

Read more on Literature

The victim said Nowden approached him out of nowhere, cursed at him and referred to him by a racial slur before plunging a blade into his chest.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accusation 
• innuendo 
• put down 
• smear