slash
B1Neutral to informal depending on context (formal for punctuation mark; informal for reduction/criticism)
Definition
Meaning
to cut with a violent sweeping stroke; a long deep cut; a punctuation mark (/)
In modern usage, it can also mean to reduce something drastically (especially prices), to criticize harshly, or to perform a slashing motion in dance/sports. Informally, it can denote a urination (UK slang).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meaning shifts significantly between physical action (cut), symbolic action (reduce/criticize), and object (punctuation mark). The violent physical action sense often extends metaphorically to verbal or financial attacks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK English uses 'slash' informally for urination (e.g., 'I need a slash'). This is rare in US English. In US business contexts, 'slash' as a verb for price reduction is more common. The punctuation mark '/' is more frequently called a 'forward slash' in the US to distinguish from 'backslash'.
Connotations
UK: more likely to carry the crude slang meaning. US: stronger association with aggressive action or punctuation.
Frequency
The verb for 'reduce drastically' is more frequent in US business journalism. The noun for the punctuation mark is equally common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ slash OBJ (with INSTR)SUBJ slash at OBJSUBJ slash OBJ ADJ (e.g., slash prices in half)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “slash and burn (agriculture/politics)”
- “slash your wrists (figurative: extreme self-criticism)”
- “price-slashing campaign”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to aggressive cost-cutting or price reductions.
Academic
Primarily used for the punctuation mark in citations (e.g., and/or) or in historical contexts describing violence.
Everyday
Cutting something with a knife; reducing prices; punctuation.
Technical
In computing, denotes a directory path separator or a command flag prefix.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There was a deep slash across the canvas.
- Use a slash to separate the day and month.
- He disappeared into the bushes for a quick slash.
American English
- The knife left a nasty slash on his arm.
- The URL contains a slash after the domain name.
- The budget bill included a slash to welfare programs.
verb
British English
- The vandal tried to slash the painting with a knife.
- The council was forced to slash its funding for libraries.
- I'm just going to slash the tyres on that car.
American English
- The company will slash its workforce by 20%.
- Critics slashed his latest novel in the reviews.
- He slashed through the dense undergrowth with a machete.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Be careful not to slash your finger on the tin can.
- Look at the slash in this picture – it means 'or'.
- Stores often slash prices after the holidays.
- The path was blocked, so we had to slash our way through the vines.
- The government's plan to slash public services proved highly unpopular.
- In the comment, please separate the clauses with a slash.
- The film was mercilessly slashed by the critics for its lack of originality.
- The poet uses the visual metaphor of a slash to represent the division between self and society.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'SLASH!' a sword makes in a film – it's a quick, sharp, cutting action.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS PHYSICAL VIOLENCE (e.g., 'The review slashed the author's reputation'), REDUCTION IS CUTTING (e.g., 'slash the budget').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'слэш' (прямое заимствование для знака /) и глаголом 'рубить' (chop) или 'резать' (cut). 'Slash' подразумевает более резкое, размашистое движение.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'slash' to mean a small cut (use 'nick' or 'scratch'). Confusing 'slash' (/) with 'backslash' (\). Overusing the verb in formal writing where 'reduce' is better.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'slash' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. As a noun for the punctuation mark (/), it is standard and formal. As a verb meaning 'to cut drastically' (prices, budgets), it is common in business/journalism but has an aggressive tone. The slang meaning (urination) is very informal.
'Cut' is general. 'Slash' implies a more forceful, drastic, and often swift reduction or action. 'Reduce' is more neutral and formal. You 'slash' a budget in a crisis but 'reduce' expenses as part of normal planning.
It is commonly called a 'slash' (US/UK). In the US, 'forward slash' is often used for clarity, especially in computing. In UK English, 'stroke' is also an older, accepted term (e.g., 'and/or' is said 'and stroke or').
Informally, yes, especially in spoken or very casual written English (e.g., 'I need bread slash milk slash eggs'). However, this is not considered standard in formal writing, where 'or' or 'and' should be used.