Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To spread or smear in large amounts.
  • transitive verb To cover with something spread or smeared in large amounts.
  • noun A great amount.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A quantity; a large piece: usually in the plural.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun usually in the plural A generous or abundant quantity.
  • verb transitive To spread something thickly on something else; to coat well.
  • verb transitive To apply generously upon.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb spread thickly

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Origin unknown.]

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Examples

  • The Plugra butter slather is the best way to sample breads, IMHO.

    Laura's Version Of Susan's Whole Grain Cottage Cheese Bread Laura 2009

  • Though I confess to a moment of personal outrage when I was stuck behind an elderly woman at the grocery store the other day who decided to "slather" herself head to wrinkled toe in some sort of nauseating concoction.

    Scents-less kittenpie 2006

  • Real stucco is made from concrete and mortar and they just kind of slather it on there and paint it.

    CNN Transcript Jan 25, 2008 2008

  • I'd be the one coming back in line asking if I could get a plain cheese sandwich without the premixed "slather" (one part mustard to five parts mayo) and maybe run under the broiler for thirty seconds.

    Athletics Nation 2009

  • A slather of sunscreens from various bottles and tubes, and some time with the rose bushes and the lawn.

    Jack Bog's Blog: June 2009 Archives 2009

  • In our anticipation of rising temperatures, this time of year often prompts in us the urge to splurge on sandals, slather on sunscreen and show some skin.

    Summer Fashion Tips: 7 Ways To Sport A Socially Conscious Look The Huffington Post News Editors 2011

  • Or does this inspire you to similarly tease your hair, slather on a terrifyingly dark shade of lipstick, and hang some door-knockers from your ears?

    Bizarre 'Gossip Girl' promo shot: 'Dynasty' + weaves = WTF? | EW.com 2009

  • AFTER A QUICK SHOWER, I stand naked in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom and assess myself as I slather Lubriderm over my arms and legs.

    Left Neglected Lisa Genova 2011

  • AFTER A QUICK SHOWER, I stand naked in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom and assess myself as I slather Lubriderm over my arms and legs.

    Left Neglected Lisa Genova 2011

  • I'll happily slather ketchup on a common or garden "patty" like an overexcited three-year-old, but a tenderly seared piece of skirt, or a hand-crafted burger deserves better.

    How to make perfect salsa 2011

Comments

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  • A word I've used but never thought about until now

    April 19, 2011