# slum

> English word · Noun · IPA /slʌm/ · frequency rank #21,067

## Definitions
1. A dilapidated neighborhood where many people live in a state of poverty.
2. Inexpensive trinkets awarded as prizes in a carnival game.

## Etymology
First attested in 1812. originally slang, in the sense "room", especially "backroom", of unknown origin.

## Easily confused with
- **su** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-su)
- **SM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sm)
- **sun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sun)
- **sub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sub)
- **sum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sum)
- **sue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sue)
- **SUV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-suv)
- **sup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sup)
- **sly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sly)
- **Stu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-stu)
- **som** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-som)
- **Sus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sus)
- **Sui** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sui)
- **suh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-suh)
- **Sul** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sul)
- **sou** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sou)
- **sud** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-sud)
- **STM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-stm)
- **soul** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-soul)
- **stem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slum-vs-stem)

## Common misspellings (6)
`lsum`, `sllum`, `slmu`, `slumm`, `sslum`, `sulm`

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