slur

American  

[slur] / slɜr /

verb (used with object)

slurred, slurring

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

   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.

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verb (used without object)

slurred, slurring

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 British  

/ 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

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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 Word Forms

• unslurred adjective

Etymology

Origin of slur

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”

Example Sentences

What they refrain from hurling in that moment, or at any point throughout “Welcome to Derry,” is a dehumanizing slur splashed all over the pages of the original “It.”

From Salon

Mr. Massie, whose slurred accent sounds at once Scottish, English and French, possesses the sort of old-world education presently facing extinction.

From The Wall Street Journal

He didn’t plan this slur, but clearly he meant it and did not care who heard it.

From Los Angeles Times

Our generation has redefined the old slur “yellow journalism.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The community group Cynefin Pamoja said work is needed "now more than ever" to educate young people on things such as racist slurs.

From BBC

Related Words

• accusation
• innuendo
• put down
• smear