noun

slate

slayt

noun

A fine-grained gray rock that splits easily into thin flat sheets, often used for roofing.

"The old cottage still has its original slate roof."

A list of candidates or a planned schedule of activities.

"The party announced its slate of candidates for the local election."

"We have a busy slate of meetings this week."

verb

To schedule or plan something.

"The movie is slated for release next spring."

To criticize harshly.

"Critics slated the film for its weak script."

How to Use Slate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe gray roofing rock, or figuratively, a planned list or schedule of things — also, in British English, to criticize harshly.

UK vs US

"To slate" meaning "to criticize" is mainly British usage; Americans mostly use "slate" only for scheduling or the rock/list senses.

Common pairings

slated for release a slate of candidates clean slate

Word Forms

more slate comparative, slated past tense, slated past tense, slated past tense, slates plural, slates plural, slates plural, Slates plural, slates singular, slates singular, slates singular, most slate superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old cottage still has its original _____ roof.

Etymology

From Old French esclate, related to esclater ("to break, shatter"), ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to split."

Rhymes for slate

ate date rate mate fate gate hate pate late Nate Kate cate

See all rhymes for slate →