What does slate mean?
Slate has several related but distinct uses. As a noun, it can refer to a list of candidates or planned items, a program of events, a sheet of hard stone used for roofing, or a dark blue-gray color. In contemporary entertainment and business English, “a slate of films” or “a slate of candidates” means a group presented or selected together. As a verb, “to slate” can mean either to schedule something for a future date or to criticize it harshly. The scheduling sense is especially common in discussions of films, concerts, and releases, while the critical sense appears in political, artistic, and journalistic contexts. The word derives from the roofing material, whose durable, flat slabs gave rise to the broader idea of a hard, definitive surface or list. Its range makes it useful for describing both practical arrangements and forceful judgments.
A list of candidates, proposed items, works, or events; a schedule or program; a thin, flat piece of hard stone used for roofing; or a dark blue-gray color.
"The producer chose a slate of new performers for the season."
The senses “list or program” and “color” are common in both British and American English. The roofing sense is particularly familiar in British English.
To criticize or condemn severely, or to plan or schedule something for a particular time.
"The newspaper slated the proposal as impractical."
The criticism sense is formal and forceful; the scheduling sense is especially common for films, concerts, and releases.
Dark blue-gray in color.
"The room was painted a muted slate color."
This is mainly a color and fashion term, often written hyphenated as “slate-gray” or “slate-grey.”
The plural is used for lists, groups, roofing pieces, and scheduled works or events.
"The committee interviewed several slates of prospective candidates."
From the roofing material that lasts for generations, “slate” grew to mean both a serious schedule and a harsh verbal attack.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slate come from?
The word comes through Old French esclate, referring to a thin piece of hard stone used for roofing. Its deeper origin is generally connected with a Germanic root meaning “split stone” or “broken rock.” The English meaning later extended by the early 19th century to a list of candidates or proposed performers, and the verb developed senses involving formal criticism and scheduled presentation.
Related word forms
How slate is actually used
The noun sense for a list or program is common in British and American English. “Slate” for a roofing material is especially associated with British usage, though it is also used in American English. As a verb meaning to criticize severely, it is formal and often implies public condemnation.
Easily confused with slate
Slate is a noun or verb meaning a list, a roofing material, or harsh criticism, whereas slight is an adjective meaning insignificant or a verb meaning to ignore or insult subtly.