Word
slavery
Phoneticsslav·ery
US/ˈsɫeɪvɝi/
UK/slˈeɪvəɹi/
Definitions
01the historical institution
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the system where people are owned by others as property and forced to work without pay.
n. the legal or social institution of owning human beings as property, typically for the purpose of forced labour.
“Many countries fought long wars to finally end the practice of slavery.”
“The abolitionist movement gained significant momentum in the nineteenth century, eventually leading to the legal prohibition of slavery in many Western nations.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02forced labour
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. any situation where people are forced to work against their will and cannot leave.
n. the condition of being subjected to forced labour or involuntary servitude, regardless of legal status.
“Modern slavery often involves people being trapped in jobs they cannot escape.”
“Human rights organisations work tirelessly to identify and dismantle networks involved in modern slavery and human trafficking.”
Synonyms
03figurative subjugation
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. a state of being controlled by something else, like a bad habit or a strong feeling.
n. a figurative state of being captivated or dominated by an external force, such as an addiction or an obsession.
“He felt that his constant need for money was a kind of slavery.”
“The philosopher argued that the slavery of greed is often more difficult to escape than physical chains.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “slavery” in context.
Verb
01. abolish slavery
“Many nations took decades of political struggle to finally abolish slavery in the 19th century.”
verb + noun
02. be sold into slavery
“Historical records show that thousands of prisoners of war were sold into slavery by the conquering army.”
verb + prep + noun
03. escape from slavery
“The memoir details his harrowing journey as he attempted to escape from slavery and reach the north.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. chattel slavery
“The legal system of chattel slavery treated human beings as personal property that could be bought and sold.”
adj + noun
05. modern slavery
“Human rights organizations are working tirelessly to combat modern slavery in global supply chains.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. abolition of slavery
“The anniversary of the abolition of slavery is celebrated as a national holiday in several Caribbean countries.”
noun + of + noun
07. legacy of slavery
“Sociologists study how the legacy of slavery continues to influence systemic inequality in contemporary society.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
08. in slavery
“It is estimated that millions of people worldwide are still living in slavery today due to forced labor.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Slavery is not just a thing of the past.” “Brought to the region to address economic and environmental woes shaped by the ghost of plantation slavery, kudzu was later abandoned as shifting needs rendered the plant unnecessary.” Etymology
From slave + -ery.
From slaver + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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