slather

1 of 2

verb

slath·​er ˈsla-t͟hər How to pronounce slather (audio)
slathered; slathering ˈsla-t͟hə-riŋ How to pronounce slather (audio)
ˈslat͟h-riŋ
Synonyms of slathernext

transitive verb

1
a
: to spread thickly or lavishly
slathered sunscreen on her skin
b
: to spread something thickly or lavishly on
slathered her skin with sunscreen
2
: to use or spend in a wasteful or lavish manner : squander

slather

2 of 2

noun

plural slathers
: a great quantity
—often plural

Examples of slather in a Sentence

Verb We ate lobster slathered with butter.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Waititi and co-screenwriter Dahvi Waller seem impervious to that refined sensibility, instead preferring to slather on the quirks, to stunningly charmless effect. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 For a more affordable alternative, Tula’s hydrating mask is perfect for slathering on and moisturizing mid-flight, too. — Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2026 The team was rolling out cheese balls for the holidays, when one of the workers making strawberry turnovers took one of the cheese balls and slathered on Smucker’s Strawberry Preserves. — Angela Caraway-Carlton, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2026 The bread is slathered in a thick tomato sauce sweet with tomato jam and roasted pepper. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slather

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slather was in 1843

Rhymes for slather

See All Rhymes for slather

Browse Nearby Words

slath
slather
slatier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slather. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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