slave

/slˈe‍ɪv/

/ˈsɫeɪv/

[noun] [verb]

Slave

[NOUN]

a person who is owned by someone

someone who works as hard as a slave

synonyms : hard worker

striver

a person who is excessively or completely controlled by someone or something, often implying a lack of freedom or autonomy

to slave

[VERB]

MAIN VERB

work very hard, like a slave

synonyms : break one's back

buckle down

knuckle down

Examples

1. I've been slaving all day, and I have hardly made a dent in my work.

2. The construction crew worked like slaves to finish the project on time, often working late into the night.

3. When Sarah's friends teased her about dating an older man, she reminded them of the saying better be an old man's darling than a young man's slave, and explained that she valued the respect and kindness he showed her.

4. By the 19th century, slaves made up about 90% of the population.

Nearby words