slattern

[ slat-ern ]

noun

1. a slovenly, untidy woman or girl.
2. a slut; harlot.

slattern

/ ˈslætən /

noun

1. a slovenly woman or girl; slut

Derived Forms

• ˈslatternly, adjective
• ˈslatternliness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of slattern¹

First recorded in 1630–40; perhaps akin to dial. slatter to splash, spill < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of slattern¹

C17: probably from slattering, from dialect slatter to slop; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse sletta to slap

Example Sentences

So, I would hazard that the majority of us dirty-haired slatterns are based down south.

From The Guardian

The hulking loafers and frowsy slatterns, who huddled for warmth in corners, nodded their heads and looked on approvingly.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, literary slatterns are not more frequent than slatterns who are not literary.

From Project Gutenberg

Such long-limbed slatterns were plentiful as blackberries and of as rank a growth all along the Durance.

From Project Gutenberg

In this respect she had always been in strong contrast to her cousins, who, in spite of their taste for pronounced colours, were utter slatterns.

From Project Gutenberg