verb
Uncommon
sling
SLIHNG
Sling (verb) means to throw something with a swinging or arcing motion. Example: “He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed out the door.”
verb
1
To throw something with a swinging or arcing motion.
"He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed out the door."
2
(slang) To sell or distribute something, often illicitly.
"The dealer was slinging drugs on the corner most nights."
noun
1
A supportive strap or bandage that holds an injured arm against the body.
"His arm was in a sling for six weeks after the fall."
2
A loop of fabric worn around the body to carry a baby.
"She carried the baby in a sling while she cooked dinner."
3
A strap attached to a rifle or bag for carrying it over the shoulder.
"He adjusted the rifle sling before the hike."
How to use sling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo throw something in a swinging motion, or a supportive strap/loop worn on the body — for an injured arm, a baby, or a bag.
Common pairings
arm in a sling
baby sling
sling a bag over your shoulder
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Word forms
- Plural
- slings
- Third person singular
- slings
- Past tense
- slung, slang
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dealer was _____ drugs on the corner most nights.
Etymology
From Old Norse slyngva, "to hurl," related to a Germanic root meaning "to wind, twist" — the same idea behind German schlingen.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sling
See all rhymes for sling →Frequently asked questions
What does “sling” mean?
The word “sling” means to throw something with a swinging or arcing motion. In plain terms, to throw something in a swinging motion, or a supportive strap/loop worn on the body — for an injured arm, a baby, or a bag.
How do you pronounce “sling”?
“Sling” is pronounced SLIHNG (/ˈslɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sling” in a sentence?
Here is “sling” used in a sentence: “The dealer was slinging drugs on the corner most nights.”
What part of speech is “sling”?
Depending on how it is used, “sling” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sling” come from?
The word “sling” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse slyngva, "to hurl," related to a Germanic root meaning "to wind, twist" — the same idea behind German schlingen.
Is “sling” a common word?
“Sling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sling” have?
“Sling” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to throw something with a swinging or arcing motion.
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