slattern

/ˈslætən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈslætərn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsla-tərn/ (ame, mw)

slattern — noun

  • slatternsingular
  • slatternsplural

1. an old-fashioned insult for a woman whose clothes, home, or daily habits are ver

1.名詞C2
釋義

an old-fashioned insult for a woman whose clothes, home, or daily habits are very messy and badly cared for

例句

Padma's landlord called Padma a slattern after seeing dirty dishes across the floor.

call someone a slattern

Christopher heard neighbours whisper "slattern" when wet laundry hung over Ada's stove.

同義詞
  • slob

    broader and less old-fashioned, and can refer to any messy person

  • sloven

    literary and more old-fashioned, stressing dirtiness and disorder

文法句型

a slattern

call someone a slattern

用法筆記

Usually appears in older books or theatrical insults. It criticizes a woman's untidy appearance or housekeeping, not her sexual behaviour; for that meaning, see sense 2.

常見錯誤

❌The article called the messy boy a slattern.
✅The article called the messy boy a slob.
💡'slattern' is traditionally used only for women.

2. an old-fashioned, offensive label for a woman seen as sexually loose, or for one

2.名詞C2
釋義

an old-fashioned, offensive label for a woman seen as sexually loose, or for one who sells sex for money

例句

Gossip blogs called Ayana a slattern after photos showed her leaving two clubs.

judgemental label about sexual behaviour

Sirin's uncle used slattern for any woman he thought was selling sex.

同義詞
  • hussy

    old-fashioned insult that often stresses flirtatious or sexually loose behaviour more than paid sex

  • tart

    British insulting term focusing on sexual reputation

  • whore

    much harsher and more direct, especially when the speaker means a prostitute

文法句型

a slattern

brand someone a slattern

用法筆記

This sense is more sexual and more hurtful than sense 1. In respectful modern English, people would usually avoid this word entirely and use 'sex worker' instead when the paid-sex meaning is intended.

常見錯誤

❌The report used slattern as a neutral job title.
✅The report used sex worker as a neutral term.
💡'slattern' is insulting and old-fashioned, not a respectful professional label.