# slack

> English word · Noun · IPA /slæk/ · frequency rank #11,118

## Definitions
1. The part of anything that hangs loose, having no strain upon it.
2. A dip in a surface.
3. In particular, a shallow dell or hollow; a dip in the surface of terrain, such as between hills.
4. A low-lying marsh or a pool, especially a tidal or intermittent one which periodically fills and drains.
5. Unconditional listening attention given by client to patient.
6. Attributive form of slacks (“semi-formal trousers”).

## Etymology
From Middle English slak, from Old English slæc (“slack”), from Proto-Germanic *slakaz. For sense of coal dust, compare slag.

## Easily confused with
- **SLC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slc)
- **suck** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-suck)
- **slam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slam)
- **slap** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slap)
- **soak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-soak)
- **sock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-sock)
- **slay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slay)
- **slag** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slag)
- **Slav** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slav)
- **slaw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slaw)
- **space** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-space)
- **stock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-stock)
- **stick** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-stick)
- **stuck** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-stuck)
- **slave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slave)
- **stack** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-stack)
- **stark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-stark)
- **slice** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-slice)
- **spark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-spark)
- **snack** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slack-vs-snack)

## Common misspellings (8)
`lsack`, `salck`, `slacck`, `slackk`, `slakc`, `slcak`, `sllack`, `sslack`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/slack