slate

A hard grey rock that separates easily into thin flat layers.

• The floor is made of slate.
• Workers cut slate from the hillside.
• Dark slate gives the kitchen a simple look.

Common phrases: grey slate, slate flooring

A thin flat piece of this rock used to cover a roof or floor.

• A slate fell from the roof.
• Several slates broke during the storm.
• The builder replaced each damaged slate.

Similar words: tile

Common phrases: roof slate, broken slate

A small flat board that you write on with chalk and can wipe clean.

• The child wrote on a slate.
• Each pupil had a small slate.
• She wiped her slate before the next lesson.

Similar words: writing board

Common phrases: write on slate, school slate

To arrange for something to happen at a particular time.

• The meeting is slated for Tuesday.
• They slated the launch for early spring.
• The new school is slated to open in September.

How to use it: slate something for something (They slated the opening for June.); be slated to do something (Work is slated to begin next week.)

Similar words: schedule, plan

Common phrases: slate for monday, slate for release

To say that something is expected to happen or have a particular result.

• The team is slated to win.
• Her novel was slated to become a bestseller.
• The device is slated to be their most successful product.

How to use it: be slated to do something (The film is slated to become a major hit.); be slated as something (The young runner is slated as a future champion.)

Similar words: predict, expect

Common phrases: slate to win, slate as something