Forms
Infinitive
slit
Past
slit
Past participle
slit
Definitions
01a narrow opening
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a long, thin cut or opening in something like fabric, paper, or skin.
n. a narrow, straight cut or aperture in a surface.
“He looked through a tiny slit in the curtains to see who was at the door.”
“The archers positioned themselves behind narrow slits in the stone wall, which provided protection while allowing a clear line of sight to the valley below.”
02to make a cut
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a long, straight cut in something using a sharp tool.
v. to make a long, narrow incision in a material or surface, typically using a blade.
“She used a sharp knife to slit the envelope open.”
“The surgeon carefully slit the outer membrane to access the damaged tissue underneath, ensuring the incision remained as small as possible.”
03vulgar slang for a woman
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Vulgar · Slang
n. a very rude and offensive word for a woman.
n. a highly derogatory and vulgar term for a woman or the female genitalia.
“The angry man shouted a vulgar insult, using the word slit to demean her.”
“The dialogue in the gritty crime novel was filled with aggressive language, including the use of 'slit' as a crude misogynistic slur.”
Usage
Often used with 'in' to describe the location of the opening.
Etymology
From Middle English slitten, from Old English slītan, from Proto-Germanic slītaną (“to tear apart”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)leyd- (“to tear, rend (cut apart), split apart”). Possibly cognate with Latin laed- (“to strike, hurt, injure”). Doublet of slite; also related to slice through French borrowing. Apparently unrelated to English slot, whose etymology, however, is uncertain.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/slit
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0