slew
Slew (noun) means (informal) A large number or amount of something. Example: “They received a whole slew of complaints after the announcement.”
How to use slew
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "a large amount of something" or "to swing/turn sharply."
Don't confuse this "slew" (large number, or to turn) with the past tense of "slay" ("he slew the dragon") — they're spelled identically but completely unrelated.
Word forms
slewed past tense, slews plural, slews plural, slews singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They received a whole _____ of complaints after the announcement.
Etymology
Mostly a British spelling variant of "slue," describing a turning or twisting motion; unrelated to "slay," despite being its past tense form in a different verb.
Rhymes for slew
See all rhymes for slew →Frequently asked questions
What does “slew” mean?
The word “slew” means (informal) A large number or amount of something. In plain terms, either "a large amount of something" or "to swing/turn sharply.".
How do you pronounce “slew”?
“Slew” is pronounced sloo (/sl(j)uː/ in IPA).
How do you use “slew” in a sentence?
Here is “slew” used in a sentence: “They received a whole slew of complaints after the announcement.”
What part of speech is “slew”?
Depending on how it is used, “slew” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “slew” a common word?
“Slew” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “slew” have?
“Slew” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal) A large number or amount of something.
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