Slaves: meaning, definitions and examples

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slaves

[ sleɪvz ]

^{Context #1}

human rights

A person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.

Synonyms

bondsmen, captives, servants

Examples of usage

Slavery was abolished in many countries in the 19th century.
The slaves were treated inhumanely by their owners.

^{Context #2}

historical

A person who is excessively dependent on or controlled by something.

Synonyms

serf, thrall, vassal

Examples of usage

Many people are slaves to their smartphones.
She felt like a slave to her job.

^{Context #3}

informal

Work excessively hard or long hours.

Synonyms

grind, labour, toil

Examples of usage

She was slaving away in the kitchen all day.
He slaved over his thesis for weeks.

Translations

Translations of the word "slaves" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escravos

🇮🇳 गुलाम

🇩🇪 Sklaven

🇮🇩 budak

🇺🇦 раби

🇵🇱 niewolnicy

🇯🇵 奴隷 (どれい)

🇫🇷 esclaves

🇪🇸 esclavos

🇹🇷 köleler

🇰🇷 노예 (noye)

🇸🇦 عبيد

🇨🇿 otroci

🇸🇰 otroci

🇨🇳 奴隶 (núlì)

🇸🇮 sužnji

🇮🇸 þrælar

🇰🇿 құлдар

🇬🇪 მონები

🇦🇿 qullar

🇲🇽 esclavos

Word origin

The word 'slaves' originated from the Old French word 'esclave', which came from Medieval Latin 'Sclavus', originally meaning 'Slav' because Slavic people were often enslaved in the Middle Ages. The term later broadened to refer to any enslaved person, regardless of ethnicity.