slather

[ slath-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. to spread or apply thickly:

   to slather butter on toast.

2. to spread something thickly on (usually followed by with ):

   to slather toast with butter.

3. to spend or use lavishly.

noun

1. Often slathers. a generous amount:

   slathers of money.

slather

/ ˈslæðə /

noun

1. informal.
   usually plural a large quantity
2. open slather slang.
   a situation in which there are no restrictions; free-for-all

verb

1. to squander or waste
2. to spread thickly or lavishly

Word History and Origins

Origin of slather¹

1810–20, in sense “to slip, slide”; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of slather¹

C19: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. open slather, Australian. complete freedom.

Example Sentences

It’s an alternately tender and forbidding set of electronic rock jams slathered with digital effects and suffused with thoughts of collapse both personal and political.

From Los Angeles Times

Just make sure to defrost your lobster in the fridge overnight before coating it in mayo or slathering it in hot, melted butter.

From Salon

She quickly moved on to paint, letting her emotions out in a flood of color and movement and slathering her canvases with texture.

From Los Angeles Times

We wait until the cool air of the morning or evening to exercise, dust off our biggest water bottle and slather ourselves in SPF 75.

From Los Angeles Times

Avocados have become a staple in the diet of many Americans who slather the creamy fruit on toast and smash it up into guacamole.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apply
• brush
• caress
• clean
• coat
• cover
• glaze
• graze
• grind
• knead
• paint
• pat
• scrape
• scrub
• smear
• smooth
• spread
• wear
• wipe