slather

1 of 2

noun

slath·​er ˈsla-t͟hər How to pronounce slather (audio)
Synonyms of slathernext
: a great quantity
often used in plural

slather

2 of 2

verb

slathered; slathering ˈsla-t͟hə-riŋ How to pronounce slather (audio)
ˈslat͟h-riŋ

transitive verb

1
: to use or spend in a wasteful or lavish manner : squander
2
a
: to spread thickly or lavishly
slathered sunscreen on her skin
b
: to spread something thickly or lavishly on
slathered her skin with sunscreen

Examples of slather in a Sentence

Verb We ate lobster slathered with butter.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The slather of cookie-crumbly frosting helps mask it, to a point. Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Feb. 2026 And if any of you barbarians out there slather ranch dressing on your wings, there’s a special place in hell just for you. Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
First, there is no way any president can avoid the lens of scrutiny, whether by artists or cameramen, whether slathering a right hand in wet plaster or gummy concealer. Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026 Senior Writer Meghan Overdeep lives at high altitude and swears by slathering Aquaphor Healing Ointment on her hands and lips each night, along with O'Keeffe's for Healthy Feet Foot Cream. Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slather

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slather was in 1843

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slather. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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