What does slated mean?
Slated means that something has been assigned a planned time or is expected to happen or become something. It is commonly used in announcements about products, projects, policies, performances, appointments, and releases: an event is slated to begin, or a person is slated to become the next director. The wording is more formal and more specific than a general statement that something is expected. It generally indicates that a plan or schedule has been set, though it does not guarantee that the plan will be carried out. The term is standard in British and American English and is especially frequent in journalism, business reporting, and institutional communications. In conversation, people often say that something is due, planned, or scheduled, reserving slated for a more deliberate or official tone.
Scheduled or expected to occur at a particular time; designated to become something.
"The bridge is slated for completion before the end of the year."
Often followed by for or to and commonly used in news and official announcements.
To schedule something for a particular time or announce that something is planned.
"The organizers slated the concert for Saturday evening."
The construction is typically used with for followed by a time or with to followed by an infinitive.
A slate was once a written schedule, so calling an event slated originally meant marking it on that schedule.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slated come from?
Slated derives from the noun slate, formerly used for a schedule or a sheet on which a schedule was written. The sense of being entered on a schedule developed into the modern meaning of scheduled or designated. The word appeared in this use during the early 19th century, while slate itself ultimately comes from Old English slæte, referring to a roofing or writing material made from a fine-grained stone.
How slated is actually used
The expression is common in news, business, and formal announcements. It describes an intention or schedule rather than a completed event, so a project can be slated to begin without ultimately doing so.
Easily confused with slated
Slated means scheduled or planned, whereas slate as a noun can mean a sheet of slate or a schedule, and as a verb can mean to schedule something or cover a surface with slate.