noun
Uncommon
slain
slayn
Slain (noun) means Those who have been killed, especially in battle. Example: “A memorial service was held for the slain of the war.”
noun
1
Those who have been killed, especially in battle.
"While the Valkyries were the choosers of the valorous slain, they were also obedient to the call of any in distress who asked their help."
— Mary Elizabeth Lewis, The Ring of the Nibelung (1906)
"A memorial service was held for the slain of the war."
"The poem honours the slain who never returned from the battlefield."
"Villagers laid flowers each year for the slain of the old war."
How to use slain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPeople who have been killed, usually spoken of collectively and in a formal or literary tone.
When to use it
This noun use is formal/literary; "slain" is more commonly seen as the past participle of "slay" (e.g. "the dragon was slain").
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Word forms
- Plural
- the slain
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A memorial service was held for the _____ of the war.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for slain
See all rhymes for slain →Frequently asked questions
What does “slain” mean?
The word “slain” means those who have been killed, especially in battle. In plain terms, people who have been killed, usually spoken of collectively and in a formal or literary tone.
How do you pronounce “slain”?
“Slain” is pronounced slayn (/sleɪ̯n/ in IPA).
How do you use “slain” in a sentence?
Here is “slain” used in a sentence: “A memorial service was held for the slain of the war.”
What part of speech is “slain”?
“Slain” is a noun.
Is “slain” a common word?
“Slain” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between slain and killed?
Slain is an older or more literary word for those who have been killed, especially in battle, while killed is the everyday, general term for causing death by any means. Slain carries a more formal, dramatic, or historical tone.
Is slain used in modern everyday speech?
Slain is uncommon in casual modern speech and appears mostly in formal, literary, historical, or memorial contexts, such as references to soldiers slain in war.
Why is slain often used in war memorials and historical texts?
Slain lends a solemn, elevated tone appropriate for honoring those who died in combat, which is why it appears frequently in memorials, historical accounts, and formal tributes rather than routine conversation.
