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
But his angle is even tighter than those in the previous chances above, and Djed Spence is also no slouch in closing him down… … blocking the shot before Hojlund can test Vicario. Carl Anka, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Following a parade of models who walked in an array of floral prints, slouch pants and tulle micro-skirts, Musk's mother Maye closed out the show. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
But speaking of slouching, the Z13 will not feel light in your bag. Ars Technica, 18 Feb. 2025 Diplomats have noted a viral photo of Rubio slouched stone-faced on a couch in the Oval Office last Friday as Trump shouted at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 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 17 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!