Definition of SLATE

slate

Plural: slates

Noun

  • (formerly) a writing tablet made of slate
  • thin layers of rock used for roofing
  • a fine-grained metamorphic rock that can be split into thin layers
  • a list of candidates nominated by a political party to run for election to public offices
  • A fine-grained homogeneous sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash which has been metamorphosed so that it cleaves easily into thin layers.
  • The bluish-grey colour of most slate.
  • A chalkboard, sheet of slate for writing on with chalk or with a thin rod of slate (a slate pencil) formerly commonly used by both students and teachers in schools.
  • A roofing-tile made of slate.
  • A record of money owed.
  • A list of affiliated candidates for an election.
  • A schedule.
  • A collection of movie releases in a certain period, either from one studio or Hollywood as a whole.
  • An artificial material resembling slate and used for the same purposes.
  • A thin plate of any material; a flake.
  • A tablet computer.
  • A clapperboard.

Verb

  • designate or schedule
    • "He slated his talk for 9 AM"
    • "She was slated to be his successor"
  • enter on a list or slate for an election
    • "He was slated for borough president"
  • cover with slate
    • "slate the roof"
  • To cover with slate.
  • To criticise harshly.
  • To schedule.
  • To anticipate or strongly expect.
  • To set a dog upon (a person).
  • To nominate, appoint, or designate.
  • To record a synchronization mark using a clapperboard.
  • To bet heavily against (a contender in a race).
  • SLATED, SLATING, SLATES to cover with slate (a roofing material)

Adj

  • Having the bluish-grey/gray colour of slate.

Examples

  • "Put it on my slate – I’ll pay you next week."
  • "The election was slated for November 2nd."
  • "The next version of our software is slated to be the best release ever."
  • "The old church ledgers show that the roof was slated in 1775."
  • "The play was slated by the critics."

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English slate, slat, slatte, sclate, sclatte, from Old French esclate, from esclat (French éclat), from Old French esclater (“to break, shatter”), from Frankish *slaitijan (“to split, break”), from Proto-Germanic *slaitijaną, causative of *slītaną (“to cut up, split”). Doublet of éclat.

Synonyms

slating, ticket, account, bill, slate blue, slate gray, slate grey, tab

Scrabble Score: 5

slate: valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
slate: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
slate: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 6

slate is a valid Words With Friends word