# slam

/ˈsɫæm/ (US) · /slˈæm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slam
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to shut forcefully

verb · CEFR B1

to close a door, window, or lid with a lot of force and a loud noise.

For teachers: to shut a door or similar object with sudden force so as to produce a shock and noise; can be used transitively or intransitively.

- He was so angry that he slammed the door as he left the room.
- The wind caught the heavy oak door and slammed it shut, echoing through the empty hallway and startling the guests.

### 2. to criticize strongly

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to criticize someone or something very harshly in public.

For teachers: to criticize forcefully or speak badly of; common in journalistic registers to describe intense public disapproval.

- The local newspapers slammed the government for the new tax laws.
- Opposition leaders were quick to slam the proposed budget, calling it a short-sighted attempt to appease wealthy donors at the expense of public services.

### 3. to put down with force

verb · CEFR B2

to put something down on a surface very hard and noisily.

For teachers: to place or strike an object against a surface with significant force and a loud impact.

- She slammed her books down on the desk and sat down with a sigh.
- The detective slammed the folder onto the interrogation table, demanding that the suspect look at the evidence provided.

### 4. to be very busy

verb · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

to have a huge amount of work to do all at once.

For teachers: to be occupied with an overwhelming workload; typically used in the passive voice.

- I'm sorry I didn't call you back; I've been absolutely slammed at work lately.
- The kitchen staff was completely slammed during the holiday weekend, struggling to keep up with the unprecedented volume of orders.

### 5. to dunk a ball

verb · CEFR B2

to jump up and push the ball down into the basket with a lot of power.

For teachers: to perform a slam dunk; to throw the ball forcibly through the basket from above the rim.

- The star player slammed the ball through the hoop to win the game.
- He managed to steal the ball at mid-court and drive to the basket, where he slammed it home to the delight of the home crowd.

### 6. a loud noise

noun · CEFR B1

the loud sound made when something is closed or hit with force.

For teachers: the shock and noise produced by the violent closure of an object or a sudden impact.

- The slam of the car door woke up the sleeping baby.
- The sudden slam of the gate behind her made her jump, realizing she was no longer alone in the garden.

### 7. a competition

noun · CEFR B2

a type of competition, especially in sports like tennis or in poetry.

For teachers: a tournament or competition, particularly one of the major events in a sports season or a performance poetry contest.

- She won her first grand slam title after a very difficult final match.
- The local arts center hosts a monthly poetry slam where writers compete for a small cash prize and the chance to perform at the national level.

## Examples

- Please do not slam the door when you leave.
- He was so frustrated after the phone call that he slammed his laptop shut and walked away.
- The wind caught the heavy oak door and slammed it against the frame, echoing loudly through the empty hallway and startling the residents.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.