What is slate? Pronunciation and usage in English

slate means . Learn how to pronounce and use slate through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of slate

slatenoun

/sleɪt//sleɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of slate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "slate" in English. There are actually two main ways it's pronounced, depending on whether you're referring to the rock or the verb.

1. Slate (the rock - like a roof covering):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈsleɪt/ (rhymes with "late")
  • Breakdown:
    • “sl”: Sounds like “sl” in “slip.”
    • “ate”: Sounds like “ate” as in “plate.”
  • Emphasis: The emphasis is on the first syllable ("sl").

2. Slate (the verb - to cover with slate):

  • Pronunciation: /sleɪt/ (rhymes with “say it”)
  • Breakdown:
    • “sl”: Sounds like “sl” in “slip”.
    • “ay”: Sounds like “ay” as in “say”.
  • Emphasis: The emphasis is on the second syllable ("ay").

Here’s a helpful way to remember:

  • Rock = "sl" + "ate" (like "late")
  • Verb = "sl" + "ay" (like "say it")

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google: Simply search for "how to pronounce slate" on Google and you'll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/slate/ - This website provides pronunciations by native speakers.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of "slate" are you referring to? (Are you talking about the stone used for roofing, or the action of covering something with it?)

Usage and examples with the word slate in English

The word "slate" has several different meanings and uses in English! Here's a breakdown of how to use it, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (To Cover/Write on):

  • To cover with slate: This is the most common meaning. It describes the act of putting slate tiles on a roof or floor.

    • Example: "The builders are slating the new roof."
    • Example: “We’ll slate the patio to make it more durable.”

  • To write on a slate board: This is the historical usage – writing with chalk on a dark, flat stone slab. It's less common now, but you'll hear it in historical contexts or when discussing old-fashioned teaching methods.

    • Example: “The students used to slate their lessons on the slate board.”

2. As a Noun (The Stone):

  • Slate Stone: This refers to the dark, fine-grained metamorphic rock used for roofing, paving, or writing tablets.

    • Example: “The roof is made of beautiful grey slate.”
    • Example: "He used a slate tablet to practice his calligraphy."

  • Slate (in Geology): It’s a specific type of rock.

    • Example: "Geologists study the formation layers of slate in that region."

3. As a Noun (A Record/Statement/Suggestion):

This is a figurative meaning – it suggests something presented formally or officially, often with an implication of potential criticism.

  • A formal statement or record: This is the most frequent use today.

    • Example: “The committee released a slate of proposed reforms.” (meaning a list of suggested changes)
    • Example: “He presented a slate of achievements for the past year.” (meaning a list of things he accomplished)
    • Example: "The politician released his slate of policies."

  • A list of candidates (elections): Used in US politics to describe a list of people running for office.

    • Example: "The Democratic Party released its slate of candidates for the election."

4. As a Noun (a server or a surface):

  • A server (often in a negative way): This is an informal and potentially rude usage, implying someone who is unhelpful or difficult to deal with.

    • Example: "Don't ask him for help, he's a real slate." (meaning difficult and unhelpful)

  • A surface (often for writing or demonstrating): Refers to a flat surface, sometimes used for displaying information.

    • Example: "The teacher used a slate to demonstrate the math equation."

Here’s a table summarizing the meanings:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To cover with slate "They are slating the driveway."
Verb To write on a slate board (historical) "He practiced his sums on the slate."
Noun Slate stone (rock) "The roof was covered in slate."
Noun Formal statement/record "The school released a slate of rules."
Noun List of candidates (US politics) "They unveiled their slate of candidates."
Noun Difficult person (informal, negative) “He’s a real slate! Don’t bother him.”
Noun A flat surface (temporary) "She wrote on the slate."

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "slate"? (e.g., writing a story, describing a building, having a conversation)

Synonyms for the word slate

Idioms of the word slate

a blank canvas/slate
a person or thing that has the potential to be developed or changed in many different ways
  • The building is a blank canvas for a clever investor to potentially make a lot of money.
  • Alice was a blank slate in the first film because she had memory loss and knew nothing about herself.
a clean slate/sheet
a record of your work or behaviour that does not show any mistakes or bad things that you have done
  • No government operates with a completely clean slate.
wipe the slate clean
to agree to forget about past mistakes or arguments and start again with a relationship

    Practice with vocabulary slate

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The project team plans to _____ the official launch date for the new software by the end of the month.
    2. Following the internal dispute, the CEO encouraged everyone to wipe the _____ clean and focus on future collaboration.
    3. The proposed _____ for the international conference spans three full days and includes a variety of workshops.
    4. During the audit, auditors meticulously checked every financial _____ to ensure compliance.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. Which of the following phrases correctly uses the word "slate" in a business or academic context? a) to slate a meeting for next week b) a slate of proposals c) to wipe the slate clean d) a heavy slate of responsibilities e) to slate a competitor

    2. Select the word(s) that could appropriately fill the blank: "The architect recommended a natural _____ for the durable flooring in the entrance hall." a) stone b) tile c) granite d) slate e) wood

    3. Which sentence demonstrates an appropriate use of "slate"? a) The board will slate a new CEO for the company by the end of the fiscal year. b) We need to slate all the old files into the archives. c) The manager presented a blank slate, inviting new ideas from the team. d) The critical review slated the new product's design flaws.

    4. Which of the following describes a comprehensive plan or a sequence of events? a) itinerary b) blueprint c) agenda d) manifesto

    5. The team's leader encouraged everyone to focus on the _____ objectives for the quarter. a) core b) primary c) incidental d) fundamental e) peripheral

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The company intends to officially announce the merger details next quarter.

      • Rewrite using "slate" or related word forms:

    2. Original: Following the budget cut, the department decided to discard all previous plans and develop a new strategy.

      • Rewrite using "slate" or related word forms:

    3. Original: The university presented a comprehensive collection of courses for the upcoming academic year.

      • Rewrite without "slate", using a suitable replacement word:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. slate
    2. slate
    3. agenda
    4. record

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. a) to slate a meeting for next week b) a slate of proposals c) to wipe the slate clean d) a heavy slate of responsibilities e) to slate a competitor
    2. a) stone b) tile c) granite d) slate
    3. a) The board will slate a new CEO for the company by the end of the fiscal year. c) The manager presented a blank slate, inviting new ideas from the team. d) The critical review slated the new product's design flaws.
    4. a) itinerary b) blueprint c) agenda
    5. a) core b) primary d) fundamental

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The company plans to slate the official announcement of the merger details for next quarter.
    2. Following the budget cut, the department decided to wipe the slate clean and develop a new strategy.
    3. The university presented a comprehensive catalog of courses for the upcoming academic year.

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