slush

American  

[sluhsh] / slʌʃ /

noun

1. partly melted snow.

2. liquid mud; watery mire.

3. waste, as fat, grease, or other refuse, from the galley of a ship.

4. a mixture of grease and other materials for lubricating.

5. silly, sentimental, or weakly emotional talk or writing.

   romantic slush.

6. slush pile.

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verb (used with object)

1. to splash with slush.

2. to grease, polish, or cover with slush.

3. to fill or cover with mortar or cement.

4. to wash with a large quantity of water, as by dashing it on.

slush British  

/ slʌʃ /

noun

1. any watery muddy substance, esp melting snow

2. informal sloppily sentimental language

3. nautical waste fat from the galley of a ship

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verb

1. to make one's way through or as if through slush

2. (intr) to make a slushing sound

Etymology

Origin of slush

1635–45; apparently cognate with Norwegian slusk slops, Swedish slask mud, slops

Explanation

Slush is messy melted snow, a mixture of ice and water. If you forget to wear your waterproof boots, you'll want to watch out for the slush as you walk through the city in February. Slush forms when snow melts slightly, leaving behind a substance that's similar to snow, but wetter. A sweet, icy drink is also a slush or a slushy, while a "slush pile" is a heap of manuscripts and letters that are sent, unsolicited, to a publisher. And a "slush fund" is either an extra, backup bank account, or a secret one full of illegally obtained money. One thing is for sure: slush is messy.

Example Sentences

Takaichi replaced Shigeru Ishiba, whose one-year leadership saw voter discontent simmer over inflation and a slush fund scandal within the party.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

It is not known whether any of them have been foolish enough to pony up the $1 billion initiation fee—nor has Trump or anyone else said who would control this slush fund.

From Slate • Jan. 28, 2026

Based on these findings, the researchers propose an interior made up largely of slush, with significantly less liquid water than previously assumed.

From Science Daily • Dec. 20, 2025

It was a warm, sunny day and the snow was so forgiving that, to stop, he just needed to dig his heels into the soft slush.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

Then Ma hears the slush of mud as a soldier moves his position.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

Related Words

• mud