Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large number or amount: "Slew" refers to a large quantity or collection of things, often used informally.
   • A turn or twist: "Slew" can also mean an act of turning or rotating, especially in a sliding or uncontrolled manner.

2. Verb:

   • To turn or slide violently or uncontrollably: "Slew" means to rotate, twist, or slide sideways, often suddenly or without control.
   • To cause to turn or swing around: It can also mean to pivot or swing something around a point.

Usage Examples

• Noun (large amount):

  • The company received a slew of complaints after the product launch.
  • She has a slew of new ideas for the project.

• Noun (turn/twist):

  • The car went into a slew on the icy road. (This usage is less common.)

• Verb (to turn/slide):

  • The truck's rear end slewed around on the wet pavement.
  • He slewed the telescope to the left to focus on the star.

Advanced Usage

• "A whole slew of": An emphatic phrase meaning a very large number or variety.
  • The update introduced a whole slew of new features and bug fixes.

Variants and Related Words

• Slue: A less common variant spelling for both the noun (meaning a turn or swamp) and the verb (meaning to turn).
• Slay (verb): "Slew" is the simple past tense of the verb "slay," which means to kill violently or impress greatly. This is a separate word and meaning.
  • The hero slew the dragon. (Past tense of "slay")

Synonyms

• Noun (large amount): Lot, multitude, heap, abundance, plethora.
• Verb (to turn): Skid, slide, veer, swing, pivot.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Slew" is not commonly used in standard phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal use is typically standalone.)

Related Idioms

• "Slew-footed": An informal adjective describing someone who is clumsy or who turns their feet out awkwardly when walking.
  • The sleigh-footed player stumbled but didn't fall.

Noun

1. (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
   • a batch of letters
   • a deal of trouble
   • a lot of money
   • he made a mint on the stock market
   • see the rest of the winners in our huge passel of photos
   • it must have cost plenty
   • a slew of journalists
   • a wad of money

Verb

1. move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
   • the wheels skidded against the sidewalk
2. turn sharply; change direction abruptly
   • The car cut to the left at the intersection
   • The motorbike veered to the right