Standard Lemma guide

slather

noun · verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈslæðə(ɹ)/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -æðə(ɹ)
  • CMU ARPABET: S L AE1 DH ER0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A thick sauce or spread that is to be slathered (spread thickly) onto food.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: cooking, food, lifestyle

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Drool (especially if abundant).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A generous or abundant quantity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural-normally, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To spread something thickly on something else; to coat well.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I slathered jam on my toast.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: smother

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To apply generously upon.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: often, transitive

Examples

  • I slathered my toast with jam.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To squander.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To rain.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

spread thickly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I can't eat bagels without slathering them with cream cheese

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: spread

History

Etymology

Unknown; attested from early 19th century, in the sense "to slip, slide". For the sense "to rain", compare East Frisian sladdern and northern German schladdern ("to rain noisily").

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: намазвам дебело (namazvam debelo) — to spread something thickly on something else; to coat well
  • French: appliquer quelque chose épais — to spread something thickly on something else; to coat well
  • German: auftragen — to spread something thickly on something else; to coat well
  • German: einschmieren — to spread something thickly on something else; to coat well
  • Italian: spalmare — to spread something thickly on something else; to coat well
  • Russian: намазывать (namazyvatʹ) — to spread something thickly on something else; to coat well
  • Russian: размазывать (razmazyvatʹ) — to spread something thickly on something else; to coat well
  • Bulgarian: слагам обилно (slagam obilno) — to apply generously upon
  • French: appliquer une généreuse quantité — to apply generously upon
  • Russian: намазывать (namazyvatʹ) — to apply generously upon