What does slurred mean?
Slurred means chiefly that speech or a voice is pronounced unclearly, so that the individual words lose their distinct outlines and become difficult to understand. The word often suggests sloppiness, intoxication, fatigue, or a physical difficulty in coordinating speech, but it can also describe any speech that is hurried or muffled. Less commonly, slurred describes movement that is smooth but careless or unsteady. In ordinary use, “slurred speech” and “a slurred voice” are common combinations. The adjective is the past participle of slur, with the meaning developed from the idea of pronouncing words in a dragging or careless manner. It is useful because it identifies a recognizable effect in speech rather than merely saying that someone speaks unclearly, and its figurative use can extend that effect to movement or performance.
Pronounced unclearly or indistinctly, especially as a result of laziness, intoxication, or difficulty in speaking.
"She tried to answer, but her voice was too slurred to understand."
This is the dominant modern sense and is often used with speech, words, voices, and pronunciation.
Moving or proceeding in a smooth, careless, or unsteady manner.
"The dancer finished with a slurred, uneven step."
This is a literary and relatively uncommon extension of the word’s speech-related meaning.
Slurred speech is what happens when pronunciation loses its sharp edges and the words blur together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slurred come from?
Slurred comes from the verb slur, which has long been used for speaking unclearly or carelessly. The adjective formed by adding the -ed ending originally referred to speech that was slurred or indistinct. The word is related to the older sense of slur meaning to make a mistake or to speak carelessly, although the modern meanings emphasize unclear articulation and, by extension, unsteady movement.
Related word forms
How slurred is actually used
In its most common sense, it describes speech or a voice that is indistinct. The figurative or literary sense of careless or unsteady movement is less common. It can sound informal when used to describe casual speech, but it is also standard in descriptions of impaired speech or intoxication.
Easily confused with slurred
A surred sound is marked by a trembling or buzzing quality, whereas slurred speech is difficult to understand because it is pronounced unclearly.
Soured describes something that has become sharp or acidic, while slurred describes unclear speech or unsteady movement.