sludge
7 synonyms for sludge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Thick, soft, semi-liquid mud, waste, or sediment.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use sludge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
toxic sludge
sewage sludge
a layer of sludge
Etymology
From Middle English words for mud and mire, ultimately related to the Old English root behind "slush" — sludge and slush share a common muddy ancestor.
Full origin of sludge →Frequently asked questions
What does “sludge” mean?
The word “sludge” means thick, soft, semi-liquid mud, waste, or sediment. In plain terms, thick, gross, semi-liquid gunk, like mud or waste sediment.
How do you pronounce “sludge”?
“Sludge” is pronounced sluhj (/slʌd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sludge” in a sentence?
Here is “sludge” used in a sentence: “The pipe was clogged with a layer of black sludge.”
What part of speech is “sludge”?
Depending on how it is used, “sludge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sludge” come from?
The word “sludge” comes from Old English. From Middle English words for mud and mire, ultimately related to the Old English root behind "slush" — sludge and slush share a common muddy ancestor.
Is “sludge” a common word?
“Sludge” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sludge” have?
“Sludge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: thick, soft, semi-liquid mud, waste, or sediment.
