slew

¹

[ sloo ]

verb

1. simple past tense of slay.

slew

²

or slue

[ sloo ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a large number or quantity:

   a whole slew of people.

slew

¹

/ sluː /

noun

1. informal.
   a great number or amount; a lot

slew

²

/ sluː /

verb

1. to twist or be twisted sideways, esp awkwardly

   he slewed around in his chair

2. nautical to cause (a mast) to rotate in its step or (of a mast) to rotate in its step

noun

1. the act of slewing

slew

³

/ sluː /

noun

1. a variant spelling (esp US) of slough 1

slew

⁴

/ sluː /

verb

1. the past tense of slay

Word History and Origins

Origin of slew¹

1830–40, Americanism; < Irish sluagh crowd, throng, army, host

Word History and Origins

Origin of slew¹

C20: from Irish Gaelic sluagh; related to Old Irish slōg army

Origin of slew²

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The revelation made him the butt of a slew of jokes on late-night TV, just as he was trying to assure voters of the seriousness of his candidacy.

From Los Angeles Times

It calls for tougher restrictions on abortion and for the federal government to collect data on women who seek an abortion, and backs a slew of measures that would strip rights from LGBTQ+ people.

From Los Angeles Times

Khan has been held in prison for more than a year, facing a slew of charges and sentences which he alleges are politically motivated.

From BBC

And then, in their final act, they reeled off a slew of classic albums in "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band," "The White Album" and "Abbey Road."

From Salon

Virtually any other celebrity would be required to rehearse a slew of accolades.

From Salon

Related Words

• abundance
• aggregation
• batch
• bunch
• bundle
• multiplicity
• plenty
• profusion
• ream
• scad