# slate

/ˈsɫeɪt/ (US) · /slˈeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. rock material

noun · CEFR B2

a dark grey rock that can be easily split into thin, flat layers.

For teachers: a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock that cleaves into thin, durable sheets.

- The old cottage had a roof made of heavy grey slate.
- Geologists identified the formation as high-quality slate, noting its characteristic cleavage and mineral composition.

### 2. writing board

noun · CEFR B2 · Archaic

a small, framed chalkboard used in the past for writing on with chalk.

For teachers: a tablet of slate used for writing, historically common in schools before the widespread use of paper.

- The students in the old schoolhouse wrote their sums on a small slate.
- The museum display featured a nineteenth-century slate and pencil, illustrating the rudimentary tools available to rural schoolchildren.

### 3. list of candidates or items

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a list of people running for an election or a group of planned events.

For teachers: a list of candidates for an election or a scheduled series of events or products.

- The party announced a full slate of candidates for the local elections.
- The studio's upcoming slate of films includes three high-budget sequels and two original dramas.

### 4. to criticize harshly

verb · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

to criticize a person, book, or film very strongly and publicly.

For teachers: to subject to severe or hostile criticism; to lambaste.

- The critics slated the new play, calling it a waste of time.
- The tabloid press slated the minister's performance during the debate, focusing on his inability to answer direct questions.

### 5. to schedule

verb · CEFR B2 · American English

to plan for something to happen at a particular time.

For teachers: to designate or schedule for a specific time or purpose.

- The new library is slated to open next summer.
- The renovation project is slated for completion by the end of the fiscal year, provided the funding remains stable.

### 6. colour

adjective · CEFR B2

having a dark, bluish-grey colour.

For teachers: of a dark grey colour with a slight blue tint, resembling slate rock.

- The sky was a cold, slate grey just before the storm began.
- The designer chose a slate blue for the office walls to create a professional yet calming atmosphere.

## Examples

- The old house has a roof made of dark slate.
- The geologist identified the sample as slate due to its distinct layers and dark grey color.
- While modern buildings often use synthetic materials, many historical preservation projects require authentic slate to maintain the architectural integrity of the original structure.

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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.