slaker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Very Rare in everyday use; moderately rare in technical/industrial contexts).Formal/Literary when referring to a person; Technical/Industrial when referring to machinery or processes.
Quick answer
What does “slaker” mean?
a person or thing that quenches, satisfies, or lessens the intensity of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a person or thing that quenches, satisfies, or lessens the intensity of something.
1. A person who quenches a thirst or desire. 2. A substance or agent (like lime) used to quench or slake another material, especially in industrial processes (e.g., quicklime slaker). 3. One who causes something to become less active, intense, or vigorous.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use the technical sense. The literary sense is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in technical use. In literary use, slightly archaic/poetic.
Frequency
Extremely low in general language. Slightly higher in specific industrial sectors (construction, chemical processing).
Grammar
How to Use “slaker” in a Sentence
slaker of [noun: thirst/desire/curiosity]slaker for [noun: lime/chemical]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “slaker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They needed to slake the lime before application.
- Nothing could slake his insatiable curiosity.
American English
- The crew will slake the lime in the mixer.
- A cold drink slaked her thirst after the hike.
adverb
British English
- The lime was slaking rapidly in the pit.
- He drank slakingly from the fountain.
American English
- The chemical slaked violently upon contact.
- She gulped the water slakingly.
adjective
British English
- The slaking process is highly exothermic.
- He had a slakeable desire for knowledge.
American English
- The slaking reaction must be controlled.
- Her thirst was easily slakeable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used, except potentially in specific industrial supply businesses.
Academic
Rare, might appear in historical or literary studies discussing archaic diction, or in engineering/chemistry papers on lime treatment.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain: refers to equipment that mixes quicklime with water (a lime slaker).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “slaker”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “slaker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “slaker”
- Misspelling as 'slacker'.
- Using it in everyday conversation where 'quencher' or simply 'it quenches' would be natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different words. 'Slacker' means a lazy person. 'Slaker' comes from 'slake' (to quench) and means 'something that quenches'.
It is highly unusual and will sound archaic or overly technical. Use 'quencher' or rephrase (e.g., 'This really quenches your thirst').
It is a machine used in construction and industry to mix quicklime (calcium oxide) with water in a controlled process called 'slaking', producing hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) for use in mortar, plaster, or chemical processes.
More common than the noun 'slaker', but still formal/literary. The most frequent collocation is 'slake one's thirst'. The technical use ('slake lime') is standard in relevant fields.
a person or thing that quenches, satisfies, or lessens the intensity of something.
Slaker is usually formal/literary when referring to a person; technical/industrial when referring to machinery or processes. in register.
Slaker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsleɪkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsleɪkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Slaker of thirsts (literary/poetic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'slacker' who does LESS work. A 'slaker' does LESS to a thirst or to lime—it reduces or quenches it.
Conceptual Metaphor
SATISFACTION IS A LIQUID (slaking a thirst); REDUCTION IS COOLING (slaking lime is an exothermic, 'fiery' process that is calmed by water).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'slaker' most commonly and neutrally used today?