slash
slash
Slash (noun) means a quick, forceful cutting stroke, or the cut it leaves. Example: “He cleared the vines with a single slash of his machete.”
noun
1
A quick, forceful cutting stroke, or the cut it leaves.
"He cleared the vines with a single slash of his machete."
"With one quick slash of the sword, the knight cut the rope."
"The tree trunk bore a deep slash where the axe had struck."
2
The punctuation mark "/".
"Write the date using slashes, like 07/07/2026."
"Type a forward slash after the website name to open the next page."
"You can write and/or with a slash between the two words."
3
A sharp reduction, especially in cost or resources.
"The budget slash forced several departments to lay off staff."
"The council announced a heavy slash in funding for the local library."
"A slash in working hours left many shop assistants worried about their wages."
verb
1
To cut with a swift, sweeping stroke.
"Someone slashed the tires on his car overnight."
"She slashed through the thick bushes to clear a path."
"The cat slashed at the curtain with its claws."
2
To reduce sharply.
"The store slashed prices by 50% for the clearance sale."
"The company slashed its energy use by switching off machines overnight."
"Hospitals have had to slash waiting times to meet the new targets."
How to use slash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sweeping cut, the "/" symbol, or a sharp cut in price or budget.
Common pairings
slash prices
slash a budget
forward slash
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Word forms
- Plural
- slashes
- Third person singular
- slashes
- Past tense
- slashed
Fill the gap
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He cleared the vines with a single _____ of his machete.
Etymology
From late Middle English, of uncertain origin, possibly imitative or from an Old French word meaning "to break in pieces."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for slash
See all rhymes for slash →Frequently asked questions
What does “slash” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “slash”?
“Slash” is pronounced slash (/slæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “slash” in a sentence?
Here is “slash” used in a sentence: “He cleared the vines with a single slash of his machete.”
What is another word for “slash”?
Words with a similar meaning to “slash” include slash mark, solidus, stroke, forward slash, forward stroke and foreslash.
What is the opposite of “slash”?
The opposite of “slash” — its antonyms — is backslash.
What part of speech is “slash”?
Depending on how it is used, “slash” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “slash” come from?
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.".
Is “slash” a common word?
“Slash” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a slash and a hyphen?
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.
What is the difference between slash and cut as verbs?
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.
How is slash used to mean a reduction, as in prices?
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.
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