Slum - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A slum is a densely populated, poor urban area with substandard housing and limited access to clean water, sanitation, and other basic services. It often reflects severe socioeconomic inequality.
Definition:
A densely populated urban area marked by poverty and poor living conditions.
Synonyms:
ghetto, shantytown, favela, tenement
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
affluent area, suburb
Common Collocations:
urban slum, slum dweller, slum clearance, slum area
Derivatives:
slummy, slumming
Usage Tips:
Use "slum" as a noun for poor areas or as a verb meaning to visit such places casually.
Common Phrases:
slum it, slum lord, slum clearance
Etymology:
Originated in early 19th century, possibly from "slump" or Irish "s lom" (bare place).
Examples:
- 1. The children played in the narrow alleys of the slum.
- 2. Many families struggle to survive in overcrowded slums.
- 3. She volunteered to help improve conditions in the local slum.
- 4. Tourists sometimes slum it to experience a different side of the city.