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

It is true that Nanny was a slattern, but only because she married into slavery.

From Project Gutenberg

The easy human slattern way would be to sink beneath the burden.

From Project Gutenberg

"I would like to see Mr. Good," said Judith to the round-shouldered slattern who answered the bell.

From Project Gutenberg

From day to day she sank nearer to the level of that abject, shameless creature whose dress drags in the gutter—a dirty slattern.

From Project Gutenberg

I took a sort of hate against her, she was such a slattern and so inquisitive.

From Project Gutenberg