noun

Slav

slahv

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Slav (noun) means a member of one of the peoples of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe who speak a Slavic language, such as Russian, Polish, or Serbian. Example: “The museum exhibit traced how different Slav peoples settled across the region over centuries.”

noun

A member of one of the peoples of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe who speak a Slavic language, such as Russian, Polish, or Serbian.

"The museum exhibit traced how different Slav peoples settled across the region over centuries."

adj

Relating to Slavic peoples, languages, or culture.

"The festival celebrated Slav folk music and dance."

How to use Slav

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA general term for Slavic peoples — Russians, Poles, Czechs, Serbs, and others who share related languages and history.

Common mistake

Capitalize it — "Slav" refers to an ethnic/linguistic group, not a lowercase adjective.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Slavs, Slavi
Comparative: more Slav
Superlative: most Slav

Test yourself on “Slav” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The museum exhibit traced how different _____ peoples settled across the region over centuries.

Etymology

Traced back through Medieval Latin Sclavus and Byzantine Greek Sklábos to a Slavic root — the same root that, unfortunately, also gave English the word "slave," since captured Slavs were widely enslaved in medieval Europe.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Synonyms

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slavic

Related words

Slavic slavonic

Frequently asked questions

What does “Slav” mean?

The word “Slav” means a member of one of the peoples of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe who speak a Slavic language, such as Russian, Polish, or Serbian. In plain terms, a general term for Slavic peoples — Russians, Poles, Czechs, Serbs, and others who share related languages and history.

How do you pronounce “Slav”?

“Slav” is pronounced slahv (/slɑːv/ in IPA).

How do you use “Slav” in a sentence?

Here is “Slav” used in a sentence: “The museum exhibit traced how different Slav peoples settled across the region over centuries.”

What part of speech is “Slav”?

Depending on how it is used, “Slav” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “Slav” come from?

The word “Slav” comes from Medieval Latin.

How many meanings does “Slav” have?

“Slav” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of one of the peoples of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe who speak a Slavic language, such as Russian, Polish, or Serbian.

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