What does slash mean?
A slash is a diagonal mark or stroke, most immediately recognizable as the character that looks like a forward slash and appears in dates, fractions, web addresses, and computer commands. It can also refer to a long, deep cut made with a blade or sharp tool. As a verb, “to slash” describes making such a cut, striking or moving through something rapidly, or reducing a price or quantity sharply. The word is common in both formal and informal English, but its figurative senses often carry a sense of speed, force, or dramatic reduction: a company may slash prices, or a person may slash through a difficult report. In digital contexts, “slash” is a familiar name for the / character, while “solidus” is preferred in mathematical and typographical description. Together, these meanings connect the everyday action of cutting with the visual mark made by a cutting movement.
A diagonal line or stroke, especially the mark resembling a forward slash used in writing, punctuation, and digital text; also a long, deep cut or gash.
"Type a slash between the two file names to indicate the directory path."
In technical contexts, “solidus” may be used for the mathematical diagonal division mark.
To cut with a sharp sweeping stroke; to reduce something sharply, such as a price, cost, or quantity.
"The retailer slashed prices during the holiday sale."
The figurative sense of a sharp reduction is common in business and news reporting and can suggest urgency or dramatic scale.
The plural is used for individual diagonal marks, cuts, or sweeping movements.
"Several slashes divided the options on the screen."
The humble slash is a tiny diagonal mark with a surprisingly large role: it helps separate options, marks routes in computer commands, and can even signal a dramatic price cut.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slash come from?
The word is recorded from the late Middle English period, when it referred to a long cut or gash. Its deeper origin is uncertain, and later senses developed from the idea of a straight, sweeping cut or stroke. The modern computing sense, naming the diagonal / character, follows from the mark’s resemblance to a slash made by a blade.
Related word forms
How slash is actually used
In computing and formal writing, “slash” commonly refers to the / character, although “solidus” is the more technical mathematical term. As a verb, “slash” can sound dramatic or informal when describing reductions or attacks, while the literal sense of cutting is neutral. The expression “slash and burn” refers to destroying vegetation or land by clearing it and burning the remains.