Pronunciation: /slʌf/
noun a situation characterized by lack of progress or activity
A1 The ducks swim in the slough.
A2 The hiker got stuck in the muddy slough.
B1 The farmer drained the slough to create more farmland.
B2 The environmentalist worked to protect the slough from pollution.
C1 The government designated the slough as a protected wetland area.
C2 The biodiversity of the slough makes it a valuable ecosystem.
verb to shed or remove
A1 I slough off my old skin like a snake.
A2 She sloughed off her responsibilities and went on vacation.
B1 The company had to slough off some employees due to budget cuts.
B2 He sloughed off the negative comments and focused on the positive feedback.
C1 The politician tried to slough off the scandal by blaming his staff.
C2 Despite the challenges, she managed to slough off the doubts and succeed in her career.
formal The slough is a wetland area characterized by stagnant water and thick vegetation.
informal Let's go for a hike in the slough behind the park.
slang I almost got stuck in the slough while trying to retrieve my ball.
figurative She felt like she was in a slough of despair, unable to see a way out.
sloughed
sloughs
more slough
most slough
slough
will slough
have sloughed
is sloughing
slough
slough
to slough
sloughing
sloughed