Slate

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sleɪt/
• Rhymes: -eɪt

Origin

From Old French esclate, from esclat (French éclat).

Noun

1. (uncountable) A fine-grained homogeneous sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash which has been metamorphosed so that it cleaves easily into thin layers.
2. (uncountable) The bluish-grey colour of most slate.
3. (countable) A sheet of slate for writing on with chalk.
4. (countable) A tile made of slate.
5. (countable) A record of money owed.Put it on my slate – I’ll pay you next week.
6. (countable) A list of affiliated candidates for an election.Roy Disney led the alternative slate of directors for the stockholder vote.
7. An artificial material resembling slate and used for the same purposes.
8. A thin plate of any material; a flake.

Synonyms

• (colour/color) slate grey, slate gray
• (record of money owed) account, bill

Derived terms

• clean slate
• on the slate
• wipe the slate clean

Full definition of slate

Adjective

1. Having the bluish-grey/gray colour/color of slate.

Derived terms

• slate black
• slate blue
• slate gray/slate grey
• slate pencil
• slate-coloured junco
• slaty

Verb

1. To cover with slate.The old church ledgers show that the roof was slated in 1775.
2. (chiefly British) To criticise harshly.The play was slated by the critics.
3. (chiefly US) To schedule.The election was slated for November 2nd.
4. (chiefly US) To destine or strongly expect.The next version of our software is slated to be the best release ever.
5. To punish severely.The boy was slated by his own mom for disobeying her.

Anagrams

• astel, lates, least, leats, salet, setal, stale, steal, stela, taels, tales, teals, tesla