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noun

slacker

SLAK
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Slacker (noun) means someone who avoids work or puts in minimal effort. Example: “His teammates called him a slacker for skipping every practice.”

noun
1
Someone who avoids work or puts in minimal effort.
"His teammates called him a slacker for skipping every practice."
2
A member of a 1990s subculture associated with apathy and Generation X.
"Kevin Smith wrote and directed the slacker hits “Clerks,” “Dogma” and “Chasing Amy,” but lately it is his other life—maintaining six Web sites that he describes as “devoted to my fans and my films”—that seems to consume him." — Craig Modderno, Slacker Dot-Com (2005)
"Gen Xers were said to be lazy—“slackers” in the parlance of the time—who didn’t exhibit the straightforward work ethic of their predecessors." — Clay Shirky, Cognitive Surplus (2010)
"The film became a cult classic among self-described slackers."

How to use slacker

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA lazy person who avoids pulling their weight.

When to use it

Informal.

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Word forms

Plural
slackers
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

His teammates called him a _____ for skipping every practice.

Etymology

From "slack" plus the suffix -er, related to the phrase "slack off".

shirker

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for slacker

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Frequently asked questions

What does “slacker” mean?
The word “slacker” means someone who avoids work or puts in minimal effort. In plain terms, a lazy person who avoids pulling their weight.
How do you pronounce “slacker”?
“Slacker” is pronounced SLAK (/ˈslækɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “slacker” in a sentence?
Here is “slacker” used in a sentence: “His teammates called him a slacker for skipping every practice.”
What part of speech is “slacker”?
“Slacker” is a noun.
How many meanings does “slacker” have?
“Slacker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who avoids work or puts in minimal effort.

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