What does sloshed mean?
Sloshed is the past tense and past participle of slosh, a verb meaning to move with a wet, splashing sound, as when someone wades through a puddle or liquid spills from a container. It can describe the movement itself, as in “the wine sloshed in the glass,” or a person who is moving such liquid around. In informal English, sloshed also means very drunk, although this use may sound slightly disapproving or coarse. The word is more evocative than words such as moved or spilled because it suggests the characteristic sound and visual movement of liquid. Although primarily a verb form, sloshed can also function as an adjective before a noun, as in “a sloshed backpack” for one thoroughly soaked with liquid.
To move or cause something to move with a wet, splashing or slopping sound.
"The wave sloshed against the side of the boat."
Often suggests liquid moving uncontrollably, spilling, or being pushed about.
Informally, very drunk.
"The sloshed guests began singing loudly on the way home."
This sense is informal and may sound disapproving or coarse.
Sloshed means both “splashing about” and, in informal English, “very drunk”—two meanings that can leave quite different impressions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sloshed come from?
Sloshed is formed from the verb slosh with the regular English past-tense ending -ed. The origin of slosh is uncertain, though it appears to be an imitative formation associated with the sound of liquid moving or splashing. Related words such as slush arose from similar liquid imagery, although their exact historical relationship is not certain.
Related word forms
How sloshed is actually used
The liquid-moving sense is neutral but often suggests an uncontrolled or conspicuous movement of water. The “very drunk” sense is informal and sometimes considered mildly disapproving.
Easily confused with sloshed
“Sloshed” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “slosh,” while “slosh” is the base form.
“Sloshed” refers to liquid moving with a splashing sound, whereas “slushed” often means covered, washed, or flushed with water or another liquid.