Definition & Meaning
- Slut (noun, vulgar/derogatory): Traditionally used as an insulting word for a woman considered to have many casual sexual partners.
- Historically: In older English, slut could mean an untidy or slovenly woman, not necessarily sexual.
- Modern reappropriation: In feminist and queer contexts, some use “slut” proudly to reclaim sexual freedom (SlutWalk movement).
Pronunciation
- /slʌt/
- Rhymes with cut and shut.
Grammatical Formation
- Singular: slut
- Plural: sluts
- Adjective form (informal): slutty (offensive in some contexts, neutral or playful in others depending on tone).
Word Comparisons
- Slut vs. Whore: Both insults, but whore implies prostitution; slut implies promiscuity.
- Slut vs. Player: Slut usually applied to women derogatorily; player is often applied to men, sometimes even positively.
- Slut vs. Flirt: Slut implies sexual activity; flirt implies only suggestive behavior.
Prepositional Usage
- Slut for: “He called her a slut for dating multiple people.”
- Slut with: “They branded her a slut with no respect.”
- Slut about (rare/figurative): “She was unapologetic, a slut about her love of life.”
Real-Life Examples
- “She was unfairly labeled a slut for dressing a certain way.”
- “Historically, the word slut meant an untidy woman, not sexual.”
- “The SlutWalk movement reclaims the word as a symbol of sexual rights.”
Common Collocations
- dirty slut (insult)
- little slut (insult or sexual role-play)
- slut shaming (criticizing women for sexual behavior)
- slut walk (feminist protest movement)
- act slutty (slang)
Idiomatic / Figurative Usage
- Slut shaming: Social practice of insulting or attacking someone (usually a woman) for presumed promiscuity.
- Slut Walk: Feminist protest reclaiming the word.
- Figurative humor: “Chocolate slut” (someone who loves chocolate excessively).
Synonyms
(promiscuous sense): tramp, floozy, tart, hussy, loose woman, jezebel, skank
(untidy sense, archaic): slattern, messy woman
Antonyms
(prude, modest woman): virgin, nun, chaste woman, lady
Related Terms
- Promiscuity (having many casual sexual partners)
- Sexual liberation (freedom of sexual expression)
- Slut-shaming (social stigma against women’s sexuality)
- Feminism (movements reclaiming the term)
Connection to Sexuality
Yes. The word slut is deeply connected to sexuality and gender. It is often used to police or insult women’s sexual behavior. However, modern feminist activism has reclaimed the word to mean pride in sexual freedom, rejecting shame around consensual sex.
Sample Sentences
- “The media was criticized for slut-shaming the actress.”
- “In medieval texts, the word slut often meant ‘slovenly housemaid.’”
- “The feminist SlutWalk aims to end victim-blaming in cases of sexual assault.”
- “She jokingly called herself a slut for pizza—meaning she loves it too much.”
Sexopedia.co is an educational glossary of sexual and gender-related terms—helping you improve your English while deepening your understanding of identity, language, and self-expression.