What does slaked mean?
Slaked describes something that has been quenched, satisfied, or brought to an end. Its clearest figurative use is with thirst: a drink slakes thirst, meaning that it removes the feeling of thirst. The word can similarly refer to hunger, desire, anger, or another strong need that has been appeased. “Slaked lime” is an important technical expression: lime is “slaked” when it reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide, a substance used in mortar, plaster, and various industrial processes. The word has a slightly formal or literary quality in general prose, so speakers often choose the more natural “quenched” or “satisfied” instead. Even so, it remains useful because it captures the precise idea of a powerful need being decisively relieved.
adjectiveSlaked means satisfied or quenched, especially with respect to thirst, hunger, or a strong desire. It also denotes lime that has been chemically combined with water.
- Satisfied or quenched, especially with thirst, hunger, or a strong desire.
- Quenched by water, as lime is when converted into calcium hydroxide.
"After a long walk in the heat, he drank cool water until his thirst was slaked."
"A substantial meal and a glass of water slaked her hunger and thirst."
"The builder mixed slaked lime with sand to make mortar."
The phrase “slaked lime” names lime after water has chemically changed it into calcium hydroxide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slaked come from?
“Slaked” is the past-participle and adjectival form of “slake,” meaning to quench or satisfy. The word comes through Middle English from Old English “slacnian,” originally associated with becoming slack or relaxed, and ultimately belongs to a Germanic root also underlying “slack.” Its modern sense developed by connecting relaxation or relief with the quenching of thirst and the appeasement of desire.
Related word forms
How slaked is actually used
In its figurative sense, “slaked” is somewhat literary or traditional, while “quenched” and “satisfied” are more common in everyday speech. In technical contexts, “slaked lime” refers specifically to calcium hydroxide.
Easily confused with slaked
“Slaked” means quenched or satisfied, whereas “slacked” is the past tense of “slack,” meaning reduced in tension or activity.