slur

American  

[slur] / slɜr /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of slur

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”

Example Sentences

His voice had a slur of pain in it, but no inch of fear.

From Literature

The main symptoms can happen suddenly and may include facial weakness, arm weakness and slurred speech.

From BBC

A national 2024 Center for American Progress survey found that one in three LGBTQI+ Americans experienced verbal harassment — including offensive comments, slurs and jokes — in their place of work.

From Salon

David had a tumor on his cheek that “distorted his face and slurred his speech.”

From The Wall Street Journal

What they refrain from hurling in that moment, or at any point throughout “Welcome to Derry,” is a dehumanizing slur splashed all over the pages of the original “It.”

From Salon

Related Words

• accusation
• innuendo
• put down
• smear