slouch

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: an awkward fellow : lout
b
: one that is unimpressive
especially : a lazy or incompetent person
used in negative constructions
was no slouch at cooking
2
: a gait or posture characterized by an ungainly stooping of the head and shoulders or excessive relaxation of body muscles

slouch

2 of 2

verb

slouched; slouching; slouches

intransitive verb

1
: to walk, stand, or sit with a slouch : assume a slouch
2
: droop
3
: to go or move slowly or reluctantly

transitive verb

: to cause to droop
slouched his shoulders
sloucher noun

Examples of slouch in a Sentence

Noun She walks with a slouch. is no slouch when it comes to cooking Verb Sit up straight. Please don't slouch. She slouched into the room. The boy was slouching over his school books.
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
Still, Vikander is no slouch, giving a heartbreaking performance as the wife (and fellow painter) who never falters in being there for her spouse. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was no slouch as a professional basketball player. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Keep your torso tall, your shoulders back and tall, and your core engaged (no slouching forward or arching the back). Jakob Roze, Health, 26 Feb. 2025 On Monday morning, after years of working odd jobs including as a bug exterminator on the Hawaiian island of Maui, Gary Gene Ramirez, age 77, slouched in a San Jose courtroom, his grey hair pulled into a ponytail, and in a barely audible voice pleaded no contest to first degree murder. Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slouch

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1754, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slouch was in 1515

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slouch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slouch. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

slouch

1 of 2 noun
1
: an awkward, lazy, or unqualified person
2
: a manner of walking, sitting, or standing characterized by an awkward stooping of head and shoulders

slouch

2 of 2 verb
: to walk, sit, or stand with a slouch
sloucher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on slouch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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