noun
Uncommon
slag
SLAG
Slag (noun) means Waste material left over after smelting ore. Example: “Heaps of slag from the old ironworks still cover the hillside.”
noun
1
Waste material left over after smelting ore.
"Heaps of slag from the old ironworks still cover the hillside."
verb
1
(British, informal) To criticise or mock someone harshly.
"The critics slagged off the film for its weak script."
How to use slag
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLeftover waste from melting metal ore — or, informally in Britain, to badmouth someone.
When to use it
The "criticise" sense ("slag off") is informal British slang; the noun as a term for a person is vulgar and should be used with care.
Common pairings
slag off
slag heap
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Word forms
- Plural
- slags
- Third person singular
- slags
- Past tense
- slagged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Heaps of _____ from the old ironworks still cover the hillside.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle Low German slagge, related to a Germanic root for "to strike" — originally referring to metal splinters knocked off during hammering.
Related words
Rhymes for slag
See all rhymes for slag →Frequently asked questions
What does “slag” mean?
The word “slag” means waste material left over after smelting ore. In plain terms, leftover waste from melting metal ore — or, informally in Britain, to badmouth someone.
How do you pronounce “slag”?
“Slag” is pronounced SLAG (/ˈslæɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “slag” in a sentence?
Here is “slag” used in a sentence: “Heaps of slag from the old ironworks still cover the hillside.”
What part of speech is “slag”?
Depending on how it is used, “slag” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “slag” come from?
The word “slag” comes from Germanic. Borrowed from Middle Low German slagge, related to a Germanic root for "to strike" — originally referring to metal splinters knocked off during hammering.
Is “slag” a common word?
“Slag” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “slag” have?
“Slag” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: waste material left over after smelting ore.
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