slash

The mark /, used to separate words or numbers and in website addresses.

• Type a slash between the numbers.
• The website address ends with a slash.
• Did you put two slashes after the colon?

Similar words: forward slash, solidus

Common phrases: forward slash, slash mark, single slash

A long cut made quickly with something sharp.

• There was a slash in his coat.
• The nurse cleaned the slash on her arm.
• Several deep slashes marked the leather seat.

Similar words: cut, gash

Common phrases: deep slash, knife slash, slash wound

A fast, wide movement of a blade or whip intended to cut or strike.

• He dodged a slash of the sword.
• Her next slash struck the wooden shield.
• The fighter delivered two quick slashes with his blade.

Similar words: stroke, swing

Common phrases: sword slash, wide slash, slash attack

A sudden, large decrease in money or other resources provided.

• The school faced a slash in funding.
• A major slash in spending delayed the repairs.
• The budget slash left the team without new equipment.

How to use it: a slash in something (A slash in funding forced the library to close.)

Similar words: cut, reduction

Opposites: increase

Common phrases: budget slash, slash in funding

To reduce a price, amount, or number by a lot.

• The shop slashed its prices.
• We need to slash our energy costs.
• The company has slashed hundreds of jobs this year.

How to use it: slash something by an amount (The store slashed prices by forty percent.); slash something to an amount (They slashed the budget to half its original size.)

Similar words: cut, reduce

Opposites: raise, increase

Common phrases: slash prices, slash the budget, slash costs

To cut something with a fast, strong movement of a sharp blade.

• Someone slashed the tires of my car.
• She slashed through the thick vines with a blade.
• The attacker tried to slash him with a knife.

How to use it: slash at someone/something (He slashed at the branches with a knife.)

Similar words: cut, gash

Common phrases: slash something, slash at someone, slash through something

To clear land by cutting down plants or using fire.

• Farmers slash the brush before planting.
• They slashed the forest to open new fields.
• The cleared vegetation was burned after workers slashed it.

Similar words: clear

Common phrases: slash and burn, slash the brush, slash the forest

Used between two roles or descriptions to say that both apply.

• This room is my office slash bedroom.
• She is a teacher slash musician.
• We hired a cook slash driver for the trip.

Similar words: and, as well as

Common phrases: writer slash director, singer slash actor, office slash bedroom