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Slasher Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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slasher

[ˈslæʃər ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

film genre

A slasher is a subgenre of horror film that typically features a serial killer who stalks and murders a group of people, usually by use of bladed tools. These films often include an element of suspense, as well as graphic violence and gore. Common characteristics include a final girl trope, stalker-victim dynamics, and an emphasis on the killer's backstory. The slasher genre gained significant popularity in the late 1970s and 1980s, and has remained influential in horror culture.

Synonyms

butcher, killer, murderer.

Examples of usage

  • Halloween is considered a classic slasher film.
  • Many slasher movies use similar tropes and themes.
  • The character of Jason Voorhees is iconic within the slasher genre.

Translations

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Origin of 'slasher'

The term 'slasher' emerged in the late 1970s, during the rise of a specific type of horror film that focused on brutal killings and a calculating murderer. It is primarily derived from the act of 'slashing' with a knife or blade, which is a common method of murder depicted in these films. Early examples of slasher films, such as 'Psycho' (1960) and 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (1974), laid the groundwork for the genre, but it wasn't until the release of 'Halloween' in 1978 that the term 'slasher' became widely used. This film, along with others produced in the following years, popularized distinct formulas and conventions that would come to define slasher films, including the use of a mysterious killer, often masked, and suspenseful build-up leading to climactic violent confrontations. Over time, the genre has evolved, incorporating elements of black comedy or social commentary, but the core elements of suspense and horror remain integral to what defines a slasher film.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,766 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.