EnglishMain Dictionary
slate
Universal Words
noun, verb
noun
1 [U] a type of dark grey stone that splits easily into thin flat layers:
a slate quarry * The walls were mostly slate. * The sea was the colour of slate.
2 [C] a small thin piece of slate, used for covering roofs:
A loose slate had fallen from the roof.
3 [C] (AmE) a list of the candidates in an election:
a slate of candidates * the Democratic slate
4 [C] a small sheet of slate in a wooden frame, used in the past in schools for children to write on
IDIOMS see CLEANadj., WIPEv.
verb
1 [VN] ~ sb/sth (for sth) (BrE, written) to criticize sb/sth, especially in a newspaper:
to slate a book / play / writer * The critics slated his latest production. * She was universally slated for her much-publicized views on marriage.
2 ~ sth (for sth) [usuallypassive] to plan that sth will happen at a particular time in the future:
[VN] The next conference is slated for July. * The houses were first slated for demolition five years ago. * [VNtoinf] The new store is slated to open in spring.
3 [usuallypassive] ~ sb (for sth) (informal, especially AmE) to suggest or choose sb for a job, position, etc:
[VN] I was told that I was being slated for promotion. * [VNtoinf] He is slated to play the lead in Spielberg's next movie.
