Meaning & Definition of Slur in English

1. (music) a curved line spanning notes that are to be played legato

2. A disparaging remark

• "In the 19th century any reference to female sexuality was considered a vile aspersion"

• "It is difficult for a woman to understand a man's sensitivity to any slur on his virility"

3. A blemish made by dirt

• "He had a smudge on his cheek"

1. Play smoothly or legato

• "The pianist slurred the most beautiful passage in the sonata"

2. Speak disparagingly of

• E.g., make a racial slur

• "Your comments are slurring your co-workers"

3. Utter indistinctly

4. Become vague or indistinct

• "The distinction between the two theories blurred"