slattern: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowDated, Literary, Derogatory
Quick answer
What does “slattern” mean?
A woman who is dirty, untidy, or careless in her dress and household habits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who is dirty, untidy, or careless in her dress and household habits.
By extension, can refer to anything messy, untidy, or slovenly. Historically used as a pejorative term for a promiscuous woman, though this sense is now archaic and less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is understood in both varieties but is equally archaic and uncommon. No significant dialectal differences in meaning.
Connotations
Identical strong negative, judgmental connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical literature, but this is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “slattern” in a Sentence
[be/label/call] + NP + (a) slatternVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “slattern” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- "Slattern" is not used as a verb in modern English.
American English
- "Slattern" is not used as a verb in modern English.
adverb
British English
- The adverb is 'slatternly'. The clothes were thrown slatternly over the chair.
- She wandered slatternly about the house.
American English
- The adverb is 'slatternly'. He stacked the books slatternly on the desk.
- The garden was slatternly maintained.
adjective
British English
- The adjective is 'slatternly'. Her slatternly room was a source of constant dismay to her landlady.
- He criticised her slatternly attire.
American English
- The adjective is 'slatternly'. The cabin had a slatternly, abandoned feel.
- She was accused of slatternly housekeeping.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, only in historical or literary analysis discussing character or social commentary.
Everyday
Extremely rare and likely offensive; would sound oddly old-fashioned.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “slattern”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “slattern”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “slattern”
- Using it in modern, casual conversation.
- Applying it to a man (it is strongly gendered).
- Spelling: 'slaterin', 'slatern'.
- Mispronouncing the 't' as a hard 't' in the British variant (it's a glottal stop /ʔ/ or omitted).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare, archaic, and considered offensive. It is mostly found in older literature.
No, it is specifically and traditionally a gendered term for a woman. For a man, terms like 'slob' or 'sloven' would be used.
'Slattern' is archaic, literary, and exclusively female. 'Slob' is modern, colloquial, and can apply to any gender. Both imply untidiness, but 'slattern' has stronger historical moral judgment.
Slightly, but both are very uncommon. 'Slatternly' might be used more freely to describe things or appearances (e.g., a slatternly room) without directly labelling a person.
A woman who is dirty, untidy, or careless in her dress and household habits.
Slattern is usually dated, literary, derogatory in register.
Slattern: in British English it is pronounced /ˈslatən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈslætərn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SLATTERN sounds like SLATTERED (a slang for drunk) + TORN clothes → a messy, dishevelled person.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRTINESS IS MORAL FAILING (in its historical, judgmental use).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'slattern' be LEAST appropriate?