SLUR (slurred, slurring)
Dictionary entry overview: What does slur mean?
• SLUR (noun)
The noun SLUR has 3 senses:
1. (music) a curved line spanning notes that are to be played legato
2. a disparaging remark
3. a blemish made by dirt
Familiarity information: SLUR used as a noun is uncommon.
• SLUR (verb)
The verb SLUR has 4 senses:
1. play smoothly or legato
2. speak disparagingly of; e.g., make a racial slur
3. utter indistinctly
4. become vague or indistinct
Familiarity information: SLUR used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• SLUR (noun)
Meaning:
(music) a curved line spanning notes that are to be played legato
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("slur" is a kind of...):
musical notation (a notation used by musicians)
Domain category:
music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "slur"):
tie ((music) a slur over two notes of the same pitch; indicates that the note is to be sustained for their combined time value)
Meaning:
A disparaging remark
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
aspersion; slur
Context examples:
in the 19th century any reference to female sexuality was considered a vile aspersion / it is difficult for a woman to understand a man's sensitivity to any slur on his virility
Hypernyms ("slur" is a kind of...):
depreciation; derogation; disparagement (a communication that belittles somebody or something)
Domain member usage:
picaninny; piccaninny; pickaninny ((offensive) a Black child)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "slur"):
ethnic slur (a slur on someone's race or language)
Meaning:
A blemish made by dirt
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Synonyms:
blot; smirch; daub; smudge; slur; smear; spot
Context example:
he had a smudge on his cheek
Hypernyms ("slur" is a kind of...):
blemish; defect; mar (a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "slur"):
blotch; splodge; splotch (an irregularly shaped spot)
fingermark; fingerprint (a smudge made by a (dirty) finger)
inkblot (a blot made with ink)
• SLUR (verb)
Meaning:
Play smoothly or legato
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Context example:
the pianist slurred the most beautiful passage in the sonata
Hypernyms (to "slur" is one way to...):
play; spiel (replay (as a melody))
Domain category:
music (musical activity (singing or whistling etc.))
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They will slur the duet
Meaning:
Speak disparagingly of; e.g., make a racial slur
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Context example:
your comments are slurring your co-workers
Hypernyms (to "slur" is one way to...):
denote; refer (have as a meaning)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Utter indistinctly
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Hypernyms (to "slur" is one way to...):
mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Become vague or indistinct
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
slur; blur; dim
Context example:
The distinction between the two theories blurred
Hypernyms (to "slur" is one way to...):
weaken (become weaker)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "slur"):
efface; obliterate (remove completely from recognition or memory)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Also:
slur over (treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly)
