slash

The word “slash” means a quick, forceful cutting stroke, or the cut it leaves. In plain terms, a sweeping cut, the "/" symbol, or a sharp cut in price or budget.

“Slash” is pronounced slash (/slæʃ/ in IPA).

Here is “slash” used in a sentence: “He cleared the vines with a single slash of his machete.”

Words with a similar meaning to “slash” include slash mark, solidus, stroke, forward slash, forward stroke and foreslash.

The opposite of “slash” — its antonyms — is backslash.

Depending on how it is used, “slash” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “slash” comes from Old French. From late Middle English, of uncertain origin, possibly imitative or from an Old French word meaning "to break in pieces.".

“Slash” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

A slash is the punctuation mark "/", typically used to indicate alternatives, ratios, or divisions, as in "and/or." A hyphen is the shorter mark "-" used to join words or parts of words, and the two are not interchangeable in standard punctuation.

Slash implies a quick, forceful, sweeping cutting motion, often suggesting violence or urgency, as in "slash the tires." Cut is the neutral, general verb for dividing something with a sharp tool, without implying force or speed.

Slash is commonly used figuratively to describe a sharp reduction in cost or resources, as in "slash prices" or "slash the budget," implying a dramatic and sudden cut rather than a gradual decrease.