verb
schlep
shlehp
Schlep (verb) means to carry or drag something heavy, or to make a tiring journey. Example: “We had to schlep our suitcases up four flights of stairs.”
verb
1
To carry or drag something heavy, or to make a tiring journey.
"We had to schlep our suitcases up four flights of stairs."
"I'm not schlepping all the way across town just for coffee."
noun
1
A long, tiring journey or errand.
"Getting to the airport from here is a real schlep."
How to use schlep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo haul something heavy around, or a tiresome trip.
When to use it
Informal, originally Yiddish slang, now common in everyday American English.
Common pairings
schlep across town
quite a schlep
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Word forms
- Plural
- schleps
- Third person singular
- schleps
- Past tense
- schlepped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We had to _____ our suitcases up four flights of stairs.
Etymology
From Yiddish shlepn ("to drag"), from Middle High German slepen.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “schlep” mean?
The word “schlep” means to carry or drag something heavy, or to make a tiring journey. In plain terms, to haul something heavy around, or a tiresome trip.
How do you pronounce “schlep”?
“Schlep” is pronounced shlehp (/ʃlɛp/ in IPA).
How do you use “schlep” in a sentence?
Here is “schlep” used in a sentence: “We had to schlep our suitcases up four flights of stairs.”
What part of speech is “schlep”?
Depending on how it is used, “schlep” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “schlep” come from?
The word “schlep” comes from German. From Yiddish shlepn ("to drag"), from Middle High German slepen.
How many meanings does “schlep” have?
“Schlep” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to carry or drag something heavy, or to make a tiring journey.
