Slouch Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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slouch

[slaʊtʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

body language

To stand, sit, or walk with a drooping or sagging posture. It often reflects a lack of confidence or laziness.

Synonyms

droop, sag, slump, stoop.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
slouch	Used when someone is sitting or standing with a lazy, drooping posture, often implying a lack of energy or confidence. He came into the room slouching, his shoulders hunched forward. Don't slouch during the interview; sit up straight.
slump	Used to describe a sudden, downward movement, often because of exhaustion, defeat, or dejection. It can refer to both physical posture and a decline in performance. After the long race, he slumped into a chair. The team hit a slump in their performance after losing the star player.
sag	Used when something is sinking, bending, or drooping due to weight, pressure, or wear. Often used for objects or structures. The old mattress sagged in the middle. The roof began to sag under the weight of the snow.
droop	Used to describe something that is hanging down or bending due to weakness, fatigue, or lack of support. The flowers drooped in the heat of the afternoon sun. Her eyelids began to droop as she felt more and more sleepy.
stoop	Used when someone bends their body forward and downward, often because of age or habit. The elderly man stooped as he walked down the street. She had to stoop to pick up the coin from the ground.

Examples of usage

He tends to slouch in his chair during meetings.
She slouched her way down the street, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
Don't slouch, stand up straight with your shoulders back.
Slouching can lead to back pain and poor posture.
I could tell he was feeling defeated by the way he slouched in his seat.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

body language

A drooping or slumping posture, often indicating a lack of energy or enthusiasm.

Synonyms

dip, droop, sag, slump.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
slouch	Used when referring to poor posture or a relaxed, lazy stance or movement. He tends to slouch in his chair during meetings. Don't slouch; sit up straight.
slump	Conveys a significant decline or decrease in performance, quality, or energy, often suddenly. She hit a slump in her career and struggled to regain her previous success. After working hard all morning, he slumped onto the couch in exhaustion.
sag	Describes something that hangs down or sinks under weight or pressure, often due to weakness or old age. The old mattress had begun to sag in the middle. Over time, the fence began to sag.
dip	Used to describe a small or temporary downward movement or reduction. There was a dip in the stock market yesterday. She felt a dip in her energy levels after lunch.
droop	Used when something, typically a part of the body or a flower, sags due to tiredness, age, or lack of support. Her eyelids began to droop, signaling that she was getting sleepy. The flowers started to droop in the heat.

Examples of usage

She had the unmistakable slouch of someone who had been working long hours.
His slouch gave away his lack of interest in the conversation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Health and Posture

Poor posture, such as slouching, can lead to back pain and other health problems over time.
Many chiropractors suggest that good posture can improve mood and energy levels, contrasting with slouching.

Pop Culture

In cartoons, slouching characters often represent laziness or humor, exaggerating the pose for comedic effect.
Movies often depict heroes slouching when they're feeling defeated, only to stand tall to signify a comeback.

Psychology

Studies suggest that body posture can influence emotions; slouching might increase feelings of sadness or defeat.
Conversely, sitting up straight can boost confidence and positive mood, showing a connection between body and mind.

Literature

In many classic novels, characters are described slouching when they experience failure or despair, emphasizing their emotional state.
Authors often use physical posture like slouching to symbolize a character’s inner turmoil or lack of self-esteem.

Origin of 'slouch'

Main points about word origin

The word 'slouch' comes from the Middle English term 'slouchen', meaning to 'sink' or 'droop'.
It may be related to the Old English word 'slūcan', which means 'to slacken' or 'relax'.

The word 'slouch' originated in the late 16th century and is believed to have derived from the Middle Low German word 'slucchen', meaning 'to drag oneself'. Over time, it evolved to refer to a lazy or drooping posture, reflecting a lack of energy or confidence.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,417, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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