slur
SLUR
/slɜːr/
An insulting or disparaging remark or innuendo; a stain on someone's reputation.
A slur can be a specific derogatory term (like a racial slur) or a general attempt to 'muddy' someone's reputation.
The story behind the word. Originally, a 'slur' was a thin layer of mud or slime. By the 1600s, the word began to be used metaphorically for 'muddying' someone's reputation or character.
Word relationships
- insinuation: An insinuation is a subtle hint; a slur is more directly insulting or damaging.
- stigma: A stigma is a mark of disgrace; a slur is the remark that creates the mark.
- compliment: A compliment is a positive remark.
- honor: An honor is a mark of high respect.
Commonly confused with
- slur (speech): To slur one's speech means to speak unclearly; an insulting slur is a disparaging remark.
Word family
- slurred (adjective): pronounced unclearly or marked by an insult
Collocations
- racial slur
- ethnic slur
- cast a slur on
Example sentences
- "The use of a racial slur resulted in the player's immediate suspension from the league." A discussion on social justice.
- "The article was a calculated slur intended to damage the governor's re-election chances." A political smear campaign.
Memory hook
A SLUR is like throwing SLUR-ry (mud) at someone's name. Muddying a name.
When not to use
Do not use for a formal critique; slurs are usually unfair and biased.
Fun facts
- In music, a 'slur' is a symbol indicating that notes should be played smoothly, 'sliding' into each other.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.