slate
1 of 3noun
ˈslāt 
1
: a piece of construction material (such as laminated rock) prepared as a shingle for roofing and siding
2
: a dense fine-grained metamorphic rock produced by the compression of various sediments (such as clay or shale) so as to develop a characteristic cleavage
3
: a tablet (as of slate) used for writing on
4
a
: a written or unwritten record (as of deeds)
started with a clean slate
b
: a list of candidates for nomination or election
5
a
: a dark purplish gray
b
: any of various grays similar in color to common roofing slates
slate adjective
slatelike
ˈslāt-ˌlīk
adjective slate
2 of 3verb (1)
slated; slating
transitive verb
1
: to cover (something) with slate or a slatelike substance
slate a roof
2
: to designate (someone or something) for a specified purpose or action occurring especially at a fixed time
was slated to direct the play
The new model is slated [=scheduled] for release early next year.
slate
3 of 3verb (2)
slated; slating
transitive verb
1
: to thrash or pummel severely
2
chiefly British : to criticize or censure severely
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- catalog
- catalogue
- enroll
- enrol
- enter
- index
- inscribe
- list
- put down
- record
- register
- schedule
Verb (2)
- bash
- baste
- bat
- batter
- beat
- belabor
- belt
- birch
- bludgeon
- buffet
- bung up
- club
- curry
- do
- drub
- fib [British]
- flog
- hammer
- hide
- lace
- lambaste
- lambast
- lash
- lather
- lick
- maul
- mess (up)
- paddle
- pelt
- pommel
- pound
- pummel
- punch out
- rough (up)
- slog
- switch
- tan
- thrash
- thresh
- thump
- tromp
- wallop
- whale
- whip
- whop
- whap
- whup
- work over
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun Some school blackboards are made of slate. The house has a slate roof.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English sclate, slate, from Anglo-French *esclat, from esclater to splinter, break off, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German zesleizzen, slīzan to tear apart — more at slit
Verb (2)
probably alteration of slat entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing slate
Kids Definition
slate
noun
ˈslāt
1
: a fine-grained usually bluish gray rock that splits into thin layers or plates and is used mostly for roofing and blackboards
2
: a framed piece of slate used to write on
slate 1 of 3
verb (1)
as in to list
to put (someone or something) on a list you've been slated for a three o'clock interview Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- list
- record
- schedule
- enter
- catalog
- file
- index
- catalogue
- inscribe
- register
- card
- book
- enroll
- enrol
- put down
- tally
- note
- compile
- tabulate
- classify
- reschedule
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delete
slate
2 of 3verb (2)
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly ready to slate anyone who disagreed Synonyms & Similar Words
- lick
- pound
- hide
- pelt
- do
- batter
- knock
- whip
- bat
- lash
- assault
- box
- attack
- slap
- hit
- smash
- punch
- tan
- beat
- thump
- birch
- club
- hammer
- bash
- curry
- punch out
- maul
- buffet
- work over
- paddle
- chop
- slam
- switch
- belt
- bludgeon
- lace
- raid
- pommel
- spank
- pummel
- storm
- whale
- bung up
- lather
- swipe
- whack
- smack
- wallop
- crack
- wound
- slog
- thrash
- leather
- drub
- flog
- beat up on
- thresh
- fib
- lay on
- strap
- paste
- whop
- sock
- tromp
- baste
- clout
- rush
- lambaste
- lambast
- cane
- cudgel
- lam
- thwack
- whup
- cuff
- cowhide
- belabor
- beset
- scourge
- whap
- rough (up)
- rawhide
- wham
- clobber
- blackjack
- mess (up)
- assail
- descend (on or upon)
- fustigate
- flagellate
- swat
- bust
- gore
- lacerate
- pounce (on or upon)
- jump (on)
- whomp
- maim
- pistol-whip
- horsewhip
- mutilate
- mangle
slate
3 of 3adjective
as in gray
of the color gray the slate sky was a sure sign of rain Synonyms & Similar Words
- gray
- grey
- silver
- white
- slaty
- grayish
- slatey
- faded
- pewter
- pale
- leaden
- silvery
- argentine
- neutral
- steely
- dull
- sandy
- whitish
- dirty
- colorless
- achromatic
- chocolate
- chalky
- ashen
- sad
- ashy
- sepia
- palish
- washed-out
- hoary
- grizzled
- dun
- hoar
- livid
- mousy
- brindled
- mousey
- brindle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bright
- colored
- deep
- rich
- gay
- chromatic
- colorful
- multicolored
- variegated
- varicolored
- polychromatic
- polychrome
- ablaze
- motley