B2nounformal5K

Slave

UK /["/sleɪv/"]/US /["/sleɪv/"]/

Definition

a person who is owned by another person and is forced to work for and obey them

In simple words: A person who is owned by someone else and has to work for them without pay.

Examples

  • A **former slave**, he graduated from Claflin University in South Carolina.
  • She treated her daughter like a slave.
  • the slave trader Edward Colston
  • freed slaves
  • Prisoners of war were regularly sold as slaves.
  • We are slaves of the motor car.
  • Sue's a slave to fashion.

Usage notes

Use 'slave' in discussions about history, human rights, or social justice. It may not be appropriate in casual contexts or to refer to modern-day situations without the historical context.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'slaving away' at work—now imagine being forced to do it.

Collocations

  • escaped
  • fugitive
  • runaway
  • become
  • have
  • keep
  • labour/​labor
  • labourer/​laborer
  • master
  • slave of
  • slave to
  • escaped
  • fugitive
  • runaway
  • become
  • have
  • keep
  • labour/​labor
  • labourer/​laborer
  • master
  • slave of
  • slave to

Synonyms

  • serf
  • bondservant
  • vassal

Antonyms

  • freeman
  • liberated
  • independent

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'slave' with 'slavery' as the same word.
  • Using 'slaves' when referring to a singular person.
  • Not understanding the severity of the term in discussions.