slay

present singular third person slays · participle present slaying · past slew · past slayed · participle past slain · participle past slayed · obsolete participle past yslain

1. literarytransitiveTo kill; to murder.

   The knight slew the dragon.

   5 more examples

   Our foes must all be slain.

   In the meane time it chaunced, that Marcus Papyrius ſtroke one of the Galles on the heade with his ſtaffe, because he preſumed to ſtroke his bearde: with whiche iniurie the Gaulle beeing prouoked, ſlue Papyrius (as he ſate) with hys ſworde, and therewith the ſlaughter being begun with one, all the reſidue of thoſe auncient fatherly men as they ſat in theyr Chayres were ſlaine and cruelly murthered.

   1577, Raphaell Holinshed, “The Historie of Englande”, in The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume I, London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Iohn Harrison, →OCLC, page 26, columns 1–2

   The Prince of Morocco: […]By this scimitar, That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince That won three fields of Sultan Solyman, I would outstare the sternest eyes that look, Outbrave the heart most daring on earth, Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, To win thee, lady. […]

   c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

   Slay not your children, fearing a fall to poverty, We shall provide for them and for you. Lo! the slaying of them is great sin.

   1930, Marmaduke Pickthall, transl., The Meaning of the Glorious Koran, surah 17, verse 31

   "This is a graph of the death rate from infectious disease in this country. The heroes of my field have slain one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. While the heroes of your field gathered in the desert to create a new one."

   2015 May 4, Randall Munroe, xkcd (webcomic), Degree-Off

   Synonyms: annihilate, bag, baptize, bereave of life, blight, bring down, bump off, bury

2. literarytransitiveTo eradicate or stamp out.

   You must slay these thoughts.

3. broadlyexcessiveinformaltransitiveTo defeat; to overcome (in a competition or contest).

   The Yankees were actually slayed by two former Yankees because Rich Gossage pitched one scoreless inning in relief of Eckersley to notch his first victory.

   1993 April 21, Jack Curry, “Yanks’ Bullpen Falls Short Again”, in The New York Times

   Synonyms: conquer

4. slangtransitiveTo delight or overwhelm, especially with laughter.

   Ha ha! You slay me!

   1 more example

   He snapped his fingers contemptuously at the alarm clock. "I fear thee not, thou ticking tyrant." "You slay me," grinned Cedric.

   1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 29

   Synonyms: hit it out of the park, kill

5. ambitransitivechiefly African-American Vernacular and LGBTQ slangTo amaze, stun, or otherwise incapacitate by excellence; to excel at something.

   Your outfit slays!

   1 more example

   Movie buffs will love this costume from Beetlejuice. And even if you don't have someone to double team this look with, each costume can easily slay on its own.

   2023 September 19, Chaise Sanders, “50 Best Halloween Costumes of All Time, From the Classics to the Truly Unique”, in Cosmopolitan

   Synonyms: kill, rule, bang, devour, eat, eat and leave no crumbs, excel, go hard

6. slangTo have sex with.

   Synonyms: coitize, go to bed with, sleep with, Formal terms, bed, coit, coitize, dight

comparative more slay · superlative most slay

1. That slays (in any sense).

plural slays

1. chiefly African-American Vernacular and LGBTQ slangSomething excellent, amazing, or fashionable.

   Equally effervescent was EmRata [Emily Ratajkowski] in 2001 Versace; meanwhile Zendaya, clothed in a 1996 John Galliano for Givenchy gown that could rival Queen Victoria’s regal mourning robes, was a slay for the ages.

   2024 May 12, Tish Weinstock, “This Vintage Lover Is Calling Time On The ’90s Fashion Obsession”, in British Vogue

   1 more example

   “Let’s work it out on a remix” can be applied to many situations. It’s a public truce under the guise of a joint slay. A bride is making unreasonable demands of her wedding party and the maid of honor might quit? They should work it out on a remix (establish a budget).

   2024 June 21, Jason P. Frank, “Who Else Needs to Work It Out on a Remix?”, in Vulture

1. chiefly African-American Vernacular and LGBTQ slangUsed to express approval or amazement.

   Despite its dismal performance at the box office, Jennifer’s Body has become a cult favourite – particularly amongst queer women. The horror-comedy stars Megan Fox as a cheerleader who becomes possessed by a succubus – a demon who seduces men, kills them and devours their flesh etc. Slay!

   2024 October 9, Sam Damshenas, “21 LGBTQ+ horror films to watch this Halloween”, in Gay Times

plural slays

1. alternativeAlternative form of sley

plural Slays

1. A surname.