What does "slew" mean?
The act, or process of slewing.
Slew
/sl(j)uː/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act, or process of slewing.
- Grammar: slew is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: plenty, about ship, back and fill, batch.
- Useful contrasts: dearth, immobility, rescue.
- Usage evidence: A slew of corporate logos adorned the entrance to the soccer match.
How to use "slew"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "slew" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "slew" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "slew" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "slew" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "slew" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "plenty" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "slew", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act, or process of slewing.
- 2 Alternative spelling of slough (“a marshy or swampy place”) (reflecting the alternative pronunciation). alt-of, alternative
"The prairie round about is wet, at times almost marshy, especially at the borders of the great reedy slews."
- 3 A large amount.
"She has a slew of papers and notebooks strewn all over her desk."
- 4 (often followed by ‘of’) a large number or amount or extent wordnet
- 5 A device used for slewing.
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A crowd or large number of people.
- 7 A change of position.
Verb
- 1 To rotate or turn something about its axis. transitive
"His gunnery officer, Lieutenant Commander William R. D. Nickelson, Jr., preferred to respond with other hardware. At once he shouted into his headset mike: "Fuck that! Open fire!" His assistant, Lloyd Mustin, was recording accurate ranges from the narrowcasting fire-control radar and didn't need help from other wavelengths. "Action port. Illuminating ship is target," he instructed his gun captains. Mustin, controlling the after trio of five-inch mounts, and Nickelson slewed their directors onto the lights and opened fire immediately."
- 2 simple past of slay form-of, past
- 3 move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner wordnet
- 4 To veer a vehicle. transitive
"As the 5th Battle Squadron comes into the range of the High Seas Fleet, Admiral Evan-Thomas, who, so far, has dutifully followed Beatty's orders (or lack of them), has finally had just about enough. He can see the danger, plain as day, as the High Seas Fleet's leading elements open up a barrage with every gun they possess. He therefore issues his own squadron orders to expect to have to make sudden course changes and to follow his lead, before ordering the wheel hard over and slewing Barham around. Valiant and Warspite move to follow, replicating the "turn in succession" order, whilst the trailing HMS Malaya sees the oncoming danger and prepares to turn as soon as it possibly can without crashing into Warspite."
- 5 turn sharply; change direction abruptly wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 To insert extra ticks or skip some ticks of a clock to slowly correct its time. transitive
- 7 To pivot. intransitive
- 8 To skid. intransitive
- 9 To move something (usually a railway line) sideways. transitive
"The single line was slewed onto the disused up formation to make way for the future redoubling."
- 10 To make a public mockery of someone through insult or wit. British, slang, transitive
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"A slew of corporate logos adorned the entrance to the soccer match."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "slew"?
Common synonyms include: plenty, about ship, back and fill, batch, batch, bear off.
How do you use "slew" in a sentence?
A slew of corporate logos adorned the entrance to the soccer match.
How do you pronounce "slew"?
Pronounced /sl(j)uː/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
In all senses, a mostly British spelling of slue.
Etymology 2
Attested since at least 1708, a North American variant of slough.
Etymology 3
Ablaut of slay, from Middle English slew, sleugh, past of Middle English sleen. Replaced earlier Middle English slough, slogh, from Old English slōg (past of Old English slēan (“to hit, strike, slay”)), due to the influence of knew, drew, etc. More at slay.
Etymology 4
Borrowed from Irish slua (“crowd”) and Scottish Gaelic sluagh (“crowd”), from Middle Irish slúag, from Old Irish slóg, from Proto-Celtic *slougos (“troop, army”), from Proto-Indo-European *slowgʰos, *slowgos (“entourage”).