slash
slash — noun
1. the written mark (/) placed between words, numbers, or letters to show a break,
the written mark (/) placed between words, numbers, or letters to show a break, a choice, or that things are separate from each other.
Please write your account number followed by a slash and the sort code.
slash followed by noun phrase (British banking context)
Yuki put a slash between the date and the time on the form.
slash + between [two items]
The editor asked Beatriz to replace the dash with a forward slash.
forward slash (specific term for /)
The librarian showed Lakan how to use a slash when writing website addresses.
slash in URLs / website addresses
- forward slash
- slash between
- put a slash
- separated by a slash
- forward slash
more specific term used to distinguish from backslash
- solidus
formal or technical name, rare in everyday writing
- virgule
very formal, used in typography and older texts
Grammar Patterns
slash + between [items]
forward slash
Usage Note
This punctuation mark is also called a forward slash to distinguish it from the backslash (\), which is used in computer file paths.
Common Mistakes
2. the symbol (/) said aloud as "or," indicating that the item or items on either s
the symbol (/) said aloud as "or," indicating that the item or items on either side are choices, or that a single thing serves two different functions.
Ziad filled in the 'and/or' box on the application with a clear slash.
and/or construction with slash
The sign on the door says 'teacher/student lounge,' meaning the room is for both groups.
noun/noun double-purpose pattern
Charlotte wrote 'writer/editor' on her business card to show she does both jobs.
job1/job2 on business card
The job posting read 'nurse/paramedic,' meaning applicants qualified for either role.
job1/job2 pattern in job ads
- and/or
- slash between options
- read as 'or'
- or
the word that replaces the slash when reading aloud
- forward slash
the typographic name for the mark
Grammar Patterns
[noun A] / [noun B]
and/or
Usage Note
When reading aloud, the slash in this sense is usually pronounced as "or" or "and" depending on context. In formal writing, avoid overusing the slash — spell out 'or' instead.
Common Mistakes
3. a long, deep wound or mark in a surface, caused by a sharp object moving with fo
a long, deep wound or mark in a surface, caused by a sharp object moving with force.
Adisa had a deep slash on his forearm from the broken window glass.
deep slash on [body part]
The doctor cleaned the slash on Samir's leg and stitched it closed.
clean and stitch a slash (medical context)
The detective traced the slash across the leather seat with her finger and knew a knife had caused it.
slash across [surface]
The vet examined the deep slash on the dog's side and said it needed stitches.
slash on an animal's body
- deep slash
- slash across
- slash on the arm/leg
- nasty slash
Grammar Patterns
slash + on [body part]
deep slash
slash across [surface]
Usage Note
A slash is longer and deeper than a simple scratch or cut. It usually suggests a violent or forceful action, unlike 'cut', which is neutral.
Common Mistakes
4. a fast, powerful swinging motion aimed at hitting something, especially in sport
a fast, powerful swinging motion aimed at hitting something, especially in sports such as baseball or cricket.
Christopher took a wild slash at the ball but missed completely.
take a slash at [target]
The batter's downward slash sent the ball flying into the outfield.
downward / upward slash (direction specific)
With one quick slash of her racquet, Élise returned the serve.
slash of [weapon/racquet]
The cricketer's fierce slash sent the ball racing to the boundary for four runs.
fierce slash (cricket context)
- take a slash at
- wild slash
- slash of the bat/racquet
Grammar Patterns
take a slash at [target]
wild slash
Usage Note
This sense is often used in sport commentary. 'Take a slash at' implies a less controlled or more desperate swing than a normal attempt to hit.
5. a purposeful opening cut into a garment as ornamentation, frequently revealing a
a purposeful opening cut into a garment as ornamentation, frequently revealing a different fabric or colour underneath.
Madison wore a long gown with a slash on the side that revealed a red silk lining.
slash on the side of a garment
The designer added a slash to each sleeve to show the gold fabric underneath.
slash in sleeve/garment part
His jacket had decorative slashes across the chest that let his shirt show through.
decorative slash (plural: slashes)
The historical costume had slashes on both shoulders showing a white shirt beneath.
historical costume with slashes
- decorative slash
- slash in the sleeve
- slash showing [fabric/colour]
Grammar Patterns
slash in [garment]
decorative slash
Usage Note
Different from a 'slit' in a skirt — slashes are typically shorter and placed as deliberate design features on sleeves, chests, or sides of garments.
6. (British slang) the action of using the toilet to urinate.
(British slang) the action of using the toilet to urinate.
After the long bus journey, Lakan asked the driver if he could stop for a slash.
go for / stop for a slash
Samir nipped behind the hedge for a quick slash before the football match started.
quick slash (informal modifier)
The pub had a sign pointing toward the garden with 'Slash' written in small letters.
used as a noun on signs (very informal)
- go for a slash
- need a slash
- quick slash
- have a slash
Grammar Patterns
go for a slash
have a slash
need a slash
Usage Note
Strongly informal British slang. Use only in casual conversation with close friends. In polite or formal contexts, use 'go to the toilet' or 'have a wee.' Not used in American English.
Common Mistakes
7. a genre of fan-written fiction where two male characters from a movie, book, or
a genre of fan-written fiction where two male characters from a movie, book, or television programme are depicted as having a romantic or sexual bond not present in the official storyline.
Talia enjoys reading slash about the two main characters from her favourite anime.
read slash about [characters/source]
The online forum has thousands of slash stories featuring characters from classic novels.
slash stories / slash fiction (noun modifier)
Some slash writers explore relationships between characters who never met in the original story.
slash writer (compound noun)
Esme discovered a whole community of slash fans who write about characters from Japanese manga.
slash fan community
- slash fiction
- slash fanfiction
- slash pairing
- read/write slash
- fanfiction pairing
broader term that includes male/female and other pairings
- m/m romance
a publishing category for original male/male romance, not fan-written
Grammar Patterns
slash fiction
read/write slash
slash fanfiction
Usage Note
The term comes from the use of the slash mark (/) between two character names (e.g. 'Kirk/Spock') to indicate the pairing. It is a well-known genre label in fan communities but not used in mainstream literary discussion.
Common Mistakes
slash — verb
1. to cut something or someone with a sharp tool or object, using a fast and strong
to cut something or someone with a sharp tool or object, using a fast and strong movement.
The chef slashed the fish skin in three places so it would cook evenly.
slash + object + in [number] places (cooking)
Someone had slashed the tyres of the van parked outside the warehouse.
slash tyres (vandalism context)
Élise slashed through the thick cardboard box with a box cutter.
slash through [material] (intransitive)
The robber slashed the painting with a knife before running out of the gallery.
slash + object (vandalism context)
- slash through
- slash at
- slash someone's tyres
- slashed by a knife
Grammar Patterns
slash + [object]
slash through [something]
slash at [target]
Usage Note
Unlike 'cut', which can describe any kind of severing, 'slash' always implies speed, force, and a sweeping motion. The object is typically slashed with a single, strong stroke.
Common Mistakes
2. in the sport of ice hockey, to swing one's stick towards a player from the other
in the sport of ice hockey, to swing one's stick towards a player from the other team, which breaks the rules and earns a penalty.
The referee gave the player a two-minute penalty for slashing in the second period.
penalty for slashing (intransitive, official term)
Christopher was ejected from the game after he slashed an opponent across the arm.
slash + opponent + across [body part] (transitive)
The coach warned the team not to slash, even when crowded around the goal.
warn not to slash (intransitive, rule context)
- slash an opponent
- penalty for slashing
- called for slashing
- stick foul
broader term covering illegal use of the stick in hockey
Grammar Patterns
slash + [opponent]
slash at [opponent / puck]
Usage Note
This is a technical term in ice hockey rules. It is not used for similar fouls in field hockey, lacrosse, or other stick sports — each sport has its own term.
Common Mistakes
3. to reduce an amount, price, or number of things by a very large amount, often su
to reduce an amount, price, or number of things by a very large amount, often suddenly.
The company slashed its workforce by half after the merger was announced.
slash workforce by [amount]
Beatriz slashed her monthly spending by selling her car and taking the bus instead.
slash spending / costs
The government slashed funding for the arts programme in the new budget.
slash funding / budget
The retailer slashed the price of winter coats by sixty percent during the January sale.
slash price by [percentage]
- slash prices
- slash costs
- slash the budget
- slash jobs
- slash funding
Grammar Patterns
slash + [costs/prices/jobs]
slash + [amount] + by [percentage/number]
Usage Note
Use 'slash' for dramatic, eye-catching reductions. For smaller or more gradual decreases, use 'cut,' 'reduce,' or 'lower' instead. Common in news headlines and business writing.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- slashedadjectiveB2
- slashingadjectiveC1
- slashernounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe cutting actions, but they differ in force, precision, and the result. 'Cut' is the broadest and most neutral word — you can cut paper with scissors or cut a cake with a knife. 'Slash' (the headword of this sense) adds speed and force; it describes a sweeping strike, often violent or aggressive, like slashing a tyre or slashing through thick material. 'Gash' focuses on the result — a deep, jagged wound — and is used mostly about injuries to skin ('the broken bottle gashed his leg'). 'Hack' implies rough, repeated chopping rather than one clean movement, as in hacking at a tree branch with an axe. 'Slice' is more controlled and precise, producing a clean, thin piece: 'she sliced the lemon into rounds.' If you need a neutral term, use 'cut.' For a violent, one-stroke action, use 'slash.' For an injury with a rough opening, use 'gash.' For repeated rough chopping, use 'hack.' For clean, precise cutting, use 'slice.'
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'slash' first appeared in English around the 14th century, likely coming from Old French 'esclachier' meaning 'to break' or 'to splinter.' It may also be connected to the Middle Dutch word 'slaschen,' meaning 'to strike with a cutting motion.' The noun sense for the punctuation mark (/) developed in the 1960s as a shortened form of 'oblique slash' or 'virgule.' The sense of drastically reducing something is a much more recent figurative extension, first recorded in the early 20th century in business contexts.