How Do You Spell SLUM?

Pronunciation: [slˈʌm] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "slum" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word starts with the voiceless alveolar fricative sound /s/, followed by the voiced dental nasal sound /l/. The final sound is the voiceless bilabial stop sound /m/. Thus, the correct spelling of the word is "slum" and not "slumb" or "slump". This word is commonly used to refer to a heavily populated urban area with substandard housing and living conditions.

SLUM Meaning and Definition

  1. A slum is an area or neighborhood characterized by extremely poor living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and overcrowded, dilapidated housing. It is typically inhabited by individuals or families living in extreme poverty, often deprived of basic amenities like clean water, proper sanitation, electricity, and access to education and healthcare facilities. Slums are prevalent in developing countries, particularly in urban regions, where rapid urbanization and a lack of affordable housing contribute to their formation.

    The housing units in a slum are usually makeshift, constructed from unconventional materials such as corrugated iron sheets, cardboard, or plastic sheets, lacking proper ventilation and insulation. These dwellings are often cramped, with multiple families sharing a single room, leading to severe overcrowding. Slums are characterized by high population density, as people struggling with poverty flock to these areas, driven by economic necessity.

    Living conditions in slums are synonymous with numerous social issues including crime, limited access to clean drinking water, improper waste management leading to unsanitary conditions, and prevalence of diseases due to unhygienic environments. Slum dwellers often face discrimination and limited opportunities for social mobility and economic advancement.

    Efforts to improve living conditions in slums involve providing basic amenities, such as clean water, sanitation facilities, and improved housing infrastructure. Additionally, initiatives focusing on education and healthcare are crucial for the residents' well-being and development, aiming to address the cycle of poverty perpetuated by slum conditions.

  2. A dark retreat; the low neighbourhood or back streets of a city, containing a poor, degraded, and vicious population.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SLUM *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SLUM

Etymology of SLUM

The word "slum" originated in England in the early 19th century. Its precise etymology is uncertain, but it is believed to have derived from the Irish word "sluma" meaning "dirty, untidy", which first appeared in English dialects with a similar meaning. It is also possible that "slum" was influenced by the Norwegian word "slumpe" meaning "to fall or sink". The rapid urbanization and growth of impoverished and overcrowded areas in cities led to the adoption of the term to describe such areas. Over time, "slum" came to denote a neglected, densely populated neighborhood characterized by substandard housing and impoverished living conditions.

Idioms with the word SLUM

  • slum it The idiom "slum it" means to temporarily live or stay in a place that is considered lower in standard or quality compared to one's usual lifestyle. It often implies willingly or knowingly immersing oneself in a less luxurious or comfortable environment for a specific purpose or experience.

Similar spelling words for SLUM

Plural form of SLUM is SLUMS

Conjugate verb Slum

CONDITIONAL

I would slum
you would slum
he/she/it would slum
we would slum
they would slum

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be slumming
you would be slumming
he/she/it would be slumming
we would be slumming
they would be slumming

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have slum
you would have slum
he/she/it would have slum
we would have slum
they would have slum

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been slumming
you would have been slumming
he/she/it would have been slumming
we would have been slumming
they would have been slumming

FUTURE

I will slum
you will slum
he/she/it will slum
we will slum
they will slum

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be slumming
you will be slumming
he/she/it will be slumming
we will be slumming
they will be slumming

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have slummed
you will have slummed
he/she/it will have slummed
we will have slummed
they will have slummed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been slumming
you will have been slumming
he/she/it will have been slumming
we will have been slumming
they will have been slumming

IMPERATIVE

you slum
we let´s slum

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to slum

PAST

I slummed
you slummed
he/she/it slummed
we slummed
they slummed

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was slumming
you were slumming
he/she/it was slumming
we were slumming
they were slumming

PAST PARTICIPLE

slummed

PAST PERFECT

I had slummed
you had slummed
he/she/it had slummed
we had slummed
they had slummed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been slumming
you had been slumming
he/she/it had been slumming
we had been slumming
they had been slumming

PRESENT

I slum
you slum
he/she/it slums
we slum
they slum

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am slumming
you are slumming
he/she/it is slumming
we are slumming
they are slumming

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

slumming

PRESENT PERFECT

I have slummed
you have slummed
he/she/it has slummed
we have slummed
they have slummed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been slumming
you have been slumming
he/she/it has been slumming
we have been slumming
they have been slumming
I would have slummed
we would have slummed
you would have slummed
he/she/it would have slummed
they would have slummed

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