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Meaning & use

slam dunks

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈslæm dʌŋks/
US/ˈslæm dʌŋks/

“slam dunks” is a form of “slam dunk”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountablesport

    In basketball, a shot in which a player jumps and pushes the ball down through the hoop with great force.

    Grammar: Countable: one slam dunk, two slam dunks. Often used in the singular after "a".

    Patterns

    • score a slam dunk
    • a slam dunk by someone
    • throw down a slam dunk

    He scored three slam dunks in the final quarter.

    The crowd roared when the center finished with a powerful slam dunk.

    Her slam dunks are the best part of the game.

  2. nouncountablefigurativeinformal

    Something that is certain to succeed or is very easy to achieve.

    Grammar: Often used in the phrase "a slam dunk" meaning a sure thing; usually singular in this sense.

    Patterns

    • a slam dunk for someone
    • be a slam dunk
    • not a slam dunk

    The deal looked like a slam dunk, but it fell through at the last minute.

    Winning the contract was no slam dunk; we had to compete hard.

    For an experienced chef, this recipe is a slam dunk.

Word forms

singularslam dunk
third person singularslam-dunks
past tenseslam-dunked
past participleslam-dunked
-ing formslam-dunking

Common combinations

score a slam dunk
The rookie scored a slam dunk in his first game.
a slam dunk contest
The slam dunk contest is always a highlight of the weekend.
a slam dunk for the team
The new player was a slam dunk for the team's future.
not exactly a slam dunk
The exam was not exactly a slam dunk, but I passed.

Synonyms and how they differ

dunk
Dunk is the shorter, more general term for the same basketball shot and is also a verb.
stuff
In basketball, "stuff" is an informal synonym for a slam dunk, but it is much less common.

Word family

dunk verb
To push the ball down through the basket in basketball.
slam verb
To hit or push something with great force.

Commonly confused: slam dunks or dunk?

slam dunks vs dunk

A dunk is any shot pushed down through the hoop; a slam dunk is a particularly forceful one, though the terms are often used interchangeably.

Practice

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