What does slosh mean?
Slosh describes the lively movement of a liquid and the accompanying splashing sound. As a verb, it can describe a person or vessel moving liquid around, someone spilling a drink, or liquid itself shifting unpredictably: “The soup sloshed as the waiter carried it through the restaurant.” It can also mean to swallow liquid noisily. As a noun, a slosh is the sound or movement produced by liquid being poured, stirred, rocked, or spilled. The word is common in both British and American English and has a slightly informal, energetic tone. It is often more expressive than the general words “move” or “splash,” especially when the liquid is partly contained and its motion is heavy or uncontrolled. Slosh is particularly useful for describing the behavior of drinks in moving vehicles, water around swimmers, and unstable containers, where its sound and physical motion are equally important to the image.
To move or cause liquid to move with a splashing sound; to swallow liquid noisily.
"He sloshed the remaining soda from his glass."
The verb can describe the liquid, the person or vessel moving it, and the act of swallowing a drink noisily.
The sound or movement of liquid flowing, spilling, or being shaken in a container.
"A loud slosh announced that the bucket had tipped over."
A slosh usually refers to one instance of movement or sound, although separate movements can be counted as sloshes.
Usually singular when referring to a single sound or movement; the plural is uncommon but can indicate separate instances of spilling or flowing.
"Each wave sent distinct sloshes of water across the deck."
If a wave had a sound, it would probably slosh.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slosh come from?
Slosh is of imitative origin, formed to represent the sound of liquid moving or splashing. It was established in English by the early nineteenth century. As an onomatopoeic formation rather than a word inherited from a known ancient root, it does not have a standard group of inherited cognates.
Related word forms
How slosh is actually used
Slosh is neutral in meaning but has a vivid, informal quality because it imitates the sound of moving liquid. It is especially natural in descriptions of vehicles, boats, containers, swimming, and spilled drinks.
Easily confused with slosh
Slosh describes liquid moving or spilling with a splashing sound, whereas slush usually means soft, watery snow, muddy ground, or a thin, unappetizing drink.