slam
SLAM
Slam (verb) means to shut something with sudden force and a loud noise. Example: “The wind caught the window and slammed it shut during the storm.”
verb
1
To shut something with sudden force and a loud noise.
"The wind caught the window and slammed it shut during the storm."
"She slammed the door on her way out."
"He slammed the laptop shut in frustration."
2
To criticise someone or something harshly.
"Reviewers slammed the film for its confusing plot and wooden acting."
"The newspaper slammed the council for ignoring residents' complaints about the bus service."
"Critics slammed the new policy as unworkable."
noun
1
A sudden loud impact or forceful closing.
"We heard a loud slam from the garage as the wind blew the door."
"With a slam, the lid of the old trunk dropped back into place."
"The slam of the front door woke the whole house."
2
(bridge) A bid to win all or nearly all the tricks in a hand.
"Reaching a small slam requires careful bidding between you and your partner."
"She was thrilled to bid a slam and watch her partner take almost every trick."
"They bid a grand slam and made it with room to spare."
How to use slam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shut or hit something with sudden force and noise, or to criticise something harshly.
Common pairings
slam the door
slam a policy
grand slam
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Word forms
- Plural
- slams
- Third person singular
- slams
- Past tense
- slammed
Fill the gap
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We heard a loud _____ from the garage as the wind blew the door.
Etymology
From an unrecorded Middle English word likely borrowed from Old Norse slæma ("to strike, swing a weapon"), related to Scandinavian words for banging or clattering.
Related words
Rhymes for slam
See all rhymes for slam →Frequently asked questions
What does “slam” mean?
The word “slam” means to shut something with sudden force and a loud noise. In plain terms, to shut or hit something with sudden force and noise, or to criticise something harshly.
How do you pronounce “slam”?
“Slam” is pronounced SLAM (/ˈslæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “slam” in a sentence?
Here is “slam” used in a sentence: “She slammed the door on her way out.”
What part of speech is “slam”?
Depending on how it is used, “slam” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “slam” come from?
The word “slam” comes from Middle English. From an unrecorded Middle English word likely borrowed from Old Norse slæma ("to strike, swing a weapon"), related to Scandinavian words for banging or clattering.
Is “slam” a common word?
“Slam” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “slam” have?
“Slam” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shut something with sudden force and a loud noise.
What is a grand slam?
In the card game bridge, a slam is a bid to win all or nearly all of the tricks in a hand; a grand slam means taking every trick, while a small slam allows one loss. Sport borrowed the phrase: in baseball a grand slam is a home run hit with all bases loaded, and in tennis and golf winning the Grand Slam means taking all four major championships.
Is slam formal or informal?
The physical sense, to shut something with sudden force and a loud noise, is neutral and fits any register. The sense meaning to criticise harshly is informal and typical of tabloid headlines; in formal writing, prefer criticise sharply, condemn, or denounce.
What is the difference between slam and bang?
Both involve sudden loud impacts, but slam emphasises the forceful action, especially closing something hard, while bang emphasises the noise produced. You slam a door in anger; a door left open bangs in the wind.
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