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
This doesn’t mean Nissan’s driverless car is a slouch. Carlton Reid, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 But the city is no slouch in the arts department either, with galleries, literary festivals, and a First Friday and Second Saturday art walk every month. Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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 The gentleman was none other than Benito, also known as Bad Bunny, casually slouching towards the front row at Calvin Klein. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 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 19 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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