slay

Verb

slay (third-person singular simple present slays, present participle slaying, simple past slew or slayed, past participle slain or slayed or (obsolete) yslain)

1. (literary, transitive) To kill; to murder.
   • The knight slew the dragon.
   • Our foes must all be slain.

   Synonyms:

   annihilate, bag, baptize, bereave of life, blight, bring down, bump off, bury, cack, compromised to a permanent end

2. (literary, transitive) To eradicate or stamp out.
   • You must slay these thoughts.
3. (broadly, excessive, informal, transitive) To defeat; to overcome (in a competition or contest).
   • The Yankees were actually slayed by two former Yankees because Rich Gossage pitched one scoreless inning in relief of Eckersley to notch his first victory.1993 April 21, Jack Curry, “Yanks’ Bullpen Falls Short Again”, in The New York Times

   Synonyms:

   conquer

4. (slang, transitive) To delight or overwhelm, especially with laughter.
   • Ha ha! You slay me!
   • He snapped his fingers contemptuously at the alarm clock. "I fear thee not, thou ticking tyrant." "You slay me," grinned Cedric.1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 29

   Synonyms:

   hit it out of the park, kill

5. (ambitransitive, chiefly African-American Vernacular and LGBTQ slang) To amaze, stun, or otherwise incapacitate by excellence; to excel at something.
   • Your outfit slays!
   • Movie buffs will love this costume from Beetlejuice. And even if you don't have someone to double team this look with, each costume can easily slay on its own.2023 September 19, Chaise Sanders, “50 Best Halloween Costumes of All Time, From the Classics to the Truly Unique”, in Cosmopolitan

   Synonyms:

   kill, rule, bang, devour, eat, eat and leave no crumbs, excel, go hard, kick, kick ass

6. (slang) To have sex with.

   Synonyms:

   coitize, go to bed with, sleep with, Formal terms, bed, coit, dight, enjoy, feague, go in unto

Adjective

slay (comparative more slay, superlative most slay)

1. That slays (in any sense).

Noun

slay (plural slays)

1. (chiefly African-American Vernacular and LGBTQ slang) Something excellent, amazing, or fashionable.
   • Equally effervescent was EmRata [Emily Ratajkowski] in 2001 Versace; meanwhile Zendaya, clothed in a 1996 John Galliano for Givenchy gown that could rival Queen Victoria’s regal mourning robes, was a slay for the ages.2024 May 12, Tish Weinstock, “This Vintage Lover Is Calling Time On The ’90s Fashion Obsession”, in British Vogue
   • “Let’s work it out on a remix” can be applied to many situations. It’s a public truce under the guise of a joint slay. A bride is making unreasonable demands of her wedding party and the maid of honor might quit? They should work it out on a remix (establish a budget).2024 June 21, Jason P. Frank, “Who Else Needs to Work It Out on a Remix?”, in Vulture

Interjection

1. (chiefly African-American Vernacular and LGBTQ slang) Used to express approval or amazement.
   • Despite its dismal performance at the box office, Jennifer’s Body has become a cult favourite – particularly amongst queer women. The horror-comedy stars Megan Fox as a cheerleader who becomes possessed by a succubus – a demon who seduces men, kills them and devours their flesh etc. Slay!2024 October 9, Sam Damshenas, “21 LGBTQ+ horror films to watch this Halloween”, in Gay Times

Proper noun capitalized: Slay

Slay (plural Slays)

1. A surname.