noun
slough
sluhf
Slough (noun) means the old skin shed by a snake, or dead tissue that separates from a wound. Example: “We found a snake's slough in the garden shed.”
noun
1
The old skin shed by a snake, or dead tissue that separates from a wound.
"We found a snake's slough in the garden shed."
2
A swampy or marshy area, or a state of low emotional spirits.
"The trail crossed a muddy slough near the river."
verb
1
To shed or discard an old outer layer, or to get rid of something no longer needed.
"The company slowly sloughed off its outdated policies."
How to use slough
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShed skin/dead tissue, the act of shedding something old, or a swampy patch of land.
Common mistake
Pronounced differently by sense — "sluff" for shedding skin, but "slow" or "sloo" for the marshy-land/town-name sense (as in Slough, England).
Common pairings
slough off
slough of despond
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like slough.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sloughs
- Third person singular
- sloughs
- Past tense
- sloughed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We found a snake's _____ in the garden shed.
Etymology
From Middle English "slogh," related to Germanic words for a sheath or shed skin.
Related words
Rhymes for slough
See all rhymes for slough →Frequently asked questions
What does “slough” mean?
The word “slough” means the old skin shed by a snake, or dead tissue that separates from a wound. In plain terms, shed skin/dead tissue, the act of shedding something old, or a swampy patch of land.
How do you pronounce “slough”?
“Slough” is pronounced sluhf (/slʌf/ in IPA).
How do you use “slough” in a sentence?
Here is “slough” used in a sentence: “We found a snake's slough in the garden shed.”
What part of speech is “slough”?
Depending on how it is used, “slough” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “slough” come from?
The word “slough” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "slogh," related to Germanic words for a sheath or shed skin.
How many meanings does “slough” have?
“Slough” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the old skin shed by a snake, or dead tissue that separates from a wound.
