slum
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for slum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A rundown, overcrowded urban area where residents live in poverty.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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 slum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
First recorded in 1812 as slang, originally meaning simply "a room," before narrowing to mean a poor, run-down neighborhood.
Full origin of slum →Frequently asked questions
What does “slum” mean?
The word “slum” means a rundown, overcrowded urban area where residents live in poverty. In plain terms, a poor, overcrowded, run-down part of a city.
How do you pronounce “slum”?
“Slum” is pronounced sluhm (/slʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “slum” in a sentence?
Here is “slum” used in a sentence: “The charity built schools in one of the city's largest slums.”
What is another word for “slum”?
Words with a similar meaning to “slum” include barrio, bad part of town, estate, ghetto, favela and Hell's Kitchen.
What part of speech is “slum”?
Depending on how it is used, “slum” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “slum” come from?
The word “slum” dates back to around 1812. First recorded in 1812 as slang, originally meaning simply "a room," before narrowing to mean a poor, run-down neighborhood.
Is “slum” a common word?
“Slum” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “slum” have?
“Slum” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rundown, overcrowded urban area where residents live in poverty.