slay
Base form
slay
/sleɪ/
Past simple
slew
/sluː/
Past participle
slain
/sleɪn/
MeaningC2
to kill violently (old-fashioned or literary)
to slay the dragon
In use
- After a modal verb · Form 1In the story, the young prince must slay the dragon.
- Question · Form 1Did St George really slay a dragon?
- Past simple · Form 2Long ago, the hero slew a giant with a single arrow.
- Past simple · Form 2In the legend, Perseus slew the Gorgon Medusa.
- Passive · Form 3Thousands of soldiers were slain in the battle.
- Past perfect · Form 3By sunset the knight had slain the beast.
Watch out
Old-fashioned and literary: the knight slew the dragon, which was slain. Slewn and slayn are wrong.
Irregular VerbsLearn all three forms for good
Short lessons by frequency or by pattern, audio for every form and daily reviews that bring back exactly the verbs you are about to forget.
Install on your phoneScan with your phone camera to download the app