slur

[ slur ]

verb (used with object)

, slurred, slur·ring.

1. to pass over lightly or without due mention or consideration (often followed by over ):

   The report slurred over her contribution to the enterprise.

   Synonyms: gloss, disregard, slight

2. to pronounce (a syllable, word, etc.) indistinctly by combining, reducing, or omitting sounds, as in hurried or careless utterance.
3. to cast aspersions on; calumniate; disparage; depreciate:

   The candidate was viciously slurred by his opponent.

   Synonyms: asperse, slander

4. Music.
   1. to sing to a single syllable or play without a break (two or more tones of different pitch).
   2. to mark with a slur.
5. Chiefly British Dialect. to smirch, sully, or stain.

verb (used without object)

, slurred, slur·ring.

1. to read, speak, or sing hurriedly and carelessly.

noun

1. a slurred utterance or sound.
2. a disparaging remark or a slight: an ethnic slur against people of Irish descent.

   quick to take offense at a slur;

   an ethnic slur against people of Irish descent.

   Synonyms: affront, insult, innuendo

   Antonyms: compliment

3. a blot or stain, as upon reputation:

   a slur on his good name.

   Synonyms: disgrace, stigma

4. Music.
   1. the combination of two or more tones of different pitch, sung to a single syllable or played without a break.
   2. a curved mark indicating this.
5. Printing. a spot that is blurred or unclear as a result of paper, plate, or blanket slippage.

slur

/ slɜː /

verb

1. often foll by over to treat superficially, hastily, or without due deliberation; gloss
2. also intr to pronounce or utter (words, etc) indistinctly
3. to speak disparagingly of or cast aspersions on
4. music to execute (a melodic interval of two or more notes) smoothly, as in legato performance
5. also intr to blur or smear
6. archaic.
   to stain or smear; sully

noun

1. an indistinct sound or utterance
2. a slighting remark; aspersion
3. a stain or disgrace, as upon one's reputation; stigma
4. music
   1. a performance or execution of a melodic interval of two or more notes in a part
   2. the curved line ( or ) indicating this
5. a blur or smear

Other Words From

• un·slurred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slur¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; of multiple origins; in the sense “pass over without due consideration,” compare Low German slurren “to shuffle,” Dutch sleuren “to trail, drag”; in the sense “blot or stain,” compare Middle Dutch slore ( Dutch sloor ) “sluttish woman”

Word History and Origins

Origin of slur¹

C15: probably from Middle Low German; compare Middle Low German slūren to drag, trail, Middle Dutch sloren, Dutch sleuren

Example Sentences

Department of the Interior, which said “the term has historically been used as an offensive ethnic, racial, and sexist slur, particularly for Indigenous women.”

From Los Angeles Times

At a recent Board of Trustees meeting, around a dozen Black students expressed their concerns about the rally, saying they were subjected to harassment, intimidation and racial slurs.

From Los Angeles Times

“They ridiculed us and belittled us,” she said of her opponents, adding that they called her “every depraved slur in the book.”

From Los Angeles Times

Min has faced a barrage of attacks related to his DUI arrest last year and last month had his campaign signs defaced with anti-Asian slurs.

From Los Angeles Times

Further video shows Kelce in a heated exchange with the man, using the same slur back at him multiple times.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• garble
• mispronounce