noun
Uncommon
slum
sluhm
Slum (noun) means a rundown, overcrowded urban area where residents live in poverty. Example: “The charity built schools in one of the city's largest slums.”
noun
1
A rundown, overcrowded urban area where residents live in poverty.
"The charity built schools in one of the city's largest slums."
verb
1
To visit or spend time in a place seen as beneath one's usual social standing, often out of curiosity.
"The wealthy tourists went slumming in the old market district for the afternoon."
How to use slum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA poor, overcrowded, run-down part of a city.
Common mistake
The verb "to slum it" is casual slang for temporarily accepting worse conditions than you're used to — it can come across as condescending if used carelessly.
Common pairings
live in a slum
urban slum
slum it
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Word forms
- Plural
- slums
- Third person singular
- slums
- Past tense
- slummed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The charity built schools in one of the city's largest _____.
Etymology
First recorded in 1812 as slang, originally meaning simply "a room," before narrowing to mean a poor, run-down neighborhood.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for slum
See all rhymes for slum →Frequently asked questions
What does “slum” mean?
The word “slum” means a rundown, overcrowded urban area where residents live in poverty. In plain terms, a poor, overcrowded, run-down part of a city.
How do you pronounce “slum”?
“Slum” is pronounced sluhm (/slʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “slum” in a sentence?
Here is “slum” used in a sentence: “The charity built schools in one of the city's largest slums.”
What is another word for “slum”?
Words with a similar meaning to “slum” include barrio, bad part of town, estate, ghetto, favela and Hell's Kitchen.
What part of speech is “slum”?
Depending on how it is used, “slum” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “slum” come from?
The word “slum” dates back to around 1812. First recorded in 1812 as slang, originally meaning simply "a room," before narrowing to mean a poor, run-down neighborhood.
Is “slum” a common word?
“Slum” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “slum” have?
“Slum” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rundown, overcrowded urban area where residents live in poverty.
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