slur
slur — verb
- slurpresent simple I / you / we / they
- slurshe / she / it
- slurredpast simple
- slurring-ing form
1. to speak without making each sound separate so that words run together and becom
to speak without making each sound separate so that words run together and become hard to follow — often caused by tiredness, illness, or drinking too much alcohol.
Felix was so exhausted after the drive that his words began to slur badly.
intransitive: words / speech + slurs
The old recording was poor, and the witness seemed to slur several key names.
transitive: slur + object
A high fever made Mei's speech sound thick and slurred during the phone call.
The doctor noticed that the patient's speech was slightly slurred after the accident.
When people are very tired, they often slur the ends of their sentences without noticing.
- enunciate
to pronounce each sound clearly and distinctly
文法句型
slur + noun phrase
speech + slurs
用法筆記
Often used in the passive form (speech is slurred) or as a participial adjective (slurred speech). The intransitive pattern (his words slurred) is slightly less common.
常見錯誤
2. to make a series of tones flow together without any break when singing or playin
to make a series of tones flow together without any break when singing or playing an instrument, producing a smooth connected sound.
The violin teacher showed Gabriela how to slur the first three notes of the melody.
slur + notes as object
In Baroque music, performers often slur pairs of eighth notes to create a gentle flow.
Luca practised every evening until he could smoothly slur each phrase on his cello.
The choir director asked the sopranos to slur the ascending passage without taking a breath.
- play legato
an Italian musical term meaning the same thing; used more commonly in written instructions than as a verb
- connect
a simpler, non-technical way to describe the same smooth transition
- play staccato
to play each note short and separate from the next
文法句型
slur + musical notes
用法筆記
This is a music-specific term. The result is called legato, and the opposite (short, separate notes) is staccato. The written symbol in sheet music is also called a slur (see noun sense 4).
3. to say unfair or damaging things about someone that harm their good name or publ
to say unfair or damaging things about someone that harm their good name or public image.
The article unfairly slurred the professor's reputation without offering any real evidence.
slur + reputation as object
Ravindra felt the comments during the debate were meant to slur his character.
Politicians sometimes slur each other's names during election campaigns to gain an advantage.
After the debate, anonymous online posts tried to slur the mayor's reputation.
文法句型
slur + noun phrase (reputation / character / name)
用法筆記
This sense is quite formal in modern English. The noun form (see noun senses 1 and 2) is far more common in everyday speech. When used as a verb, it frequently pairs with reputation, character, or name.
常見錯誤
slur — noun
- slursingular
- slursplural
1. a critical statement about someone that tends to hurt the way other people view
a critical statement about someone that tends to hurt the way other people view that person or their work.
Henry saw the comment as a slur on his professional reputation and demanded an apology.
a slur on + reputation
The politician's speech was full of slurs against the charity's management team.
slurs against + group
Nala decided to ignore the slur and continue her presentation without responding.
The journalist faced legal action for publishing slurs about the company's director.
- compliment
a polite expression of praise or admiration
文法句型
cast a slur on + noun phrase
a slur against + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 2 (OFFENSIVE TERM): sense 1 covers any unfair critical remark, while sense 2 targets a specific group of people based on identity. A racial slur is always sense 2, not sense 1.
2. a highly offensive word directed at people on the basis of who they are — their
a highly offensive word directed at people on the basis of who they are — their ethnic background, beliefs, sexuality, gender, or other group identity.
Using a racial slur is deeply hurtful and completely unacceptable in any setting.
compound: racial slur
The school held a workshop on why certain words are considered slurs against particular communities.
slur against + community
Bilal reported the online post that contained a homophobic slur directed at his cousin.
The comedian was criticised for using an outdated ethnic slur during the show.
Gabriela explained to her students why that term is widely recognised as a slur today.
文法句型
racial slur
homophobic slur
ethnic slur
用法筆記
⚠️ Highly sensitive term. 'Slur' in this sense refers to words that cause real harm and painful histories. In Taiwan, learners should be especially careful: some English words that seem neutral in Chinese contexts may be considered offensive slurs in Western societies. When in doubt about a word's status, avoid using it entirely. The most common modifiers are racial, ethnic, homophobic, transphobic, and sexist.
常見錯誤
3. the condition of sounding unclear when talking, with different syllables merging
the condition of sounding unclear when talking, with different syllables merging into one another instead of staying separate.
The doctor noticed a slight slur in the patient's speech and ordered a brain scan.
a slur in + possessive + speech
Paul's voice had a heavy slur from the painkillers, making it hard to understand him.
The teacher could hear a slur in the student's pronunciation after the dental surgery.
There was a distinct slur in the old recording that made some words impossible to catch.
- clarity
clear, easy-to-follow pronunciation
文法句型
a slur in + possessive + speech/voice
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the pattern 'a slur in [possessive] speech/voice.' Typically singular (a slur) or uncountable (speech was full of slur). This is the state of unclear pronunciation; compare verb sense 1, which describes the act of producing it.
4. in written music, an arc-shaped marking placed above or below a group of notes t
in written music, an arc-shaped marking placed above or below a group of notes to indicate that they should be played without separation.
The conductor drew a slur above the violins' ascending scale in the sheet music.
Bilal learned that a slur connects notes of different pitches, while a tie connects the same pitch.
contrast: slur vs tie
The pianist missed several slurs in the score, so the melody sounded choppy rather than smooth.
In the handwritten score, the slurs over the cello part were almost impossible to read.
- legato mark
a more descriptive term that explains what the symbol tells the musician to do
- staccato mark
a dot above or below a note indicating it should be played short and detached
文法句型
draw a slur
a slur over/across notes
用法筆記
For learners of music: a slur (curved line) marks legato, which is the opposite of staccato. Do not confuse a slur with a tie — a tie connects two notes of the same pitch to make one longer note, while a slur connects notes of different pitches.