Meaning & use
slue
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitivetechnical
To turn or swing something around a fixed point, often with a sudden sideways movement.
Grammar: Can take an object or not: the driver slued the truck, the truck slued.
Patterns
- slue something around
- slue around
The crane operator slued the boom toward the dock.
The car slued sideways on the icy road.
The ship slued around when the anchor dragged.
nouncountabletechnical
A turn or swing around a fixed point, or a sideways skid.
Grammar: Used in machinery and driving, uncommon in everyday English.
Patterns
- a slue of something
The crane made a slow slue to the left.
A sudden slue left the van facing the wrong way.
He corrected the slue with a touch of the wheel.
Word forms
| third person singular | slues |
|---|---|
| past tense | slued |
| past participle | slued |
| -ing form | sluing |
Common combinations
- slue around
- The boat slued around in the wind.
- slue the boom
- The operator slued the boom to the right.
- slue to port
- The ship slued to port.
- slue sideways
- The cart slued sideways on the mud.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- slewing noun
- the turning of a crane or similar machine
- slew verb
- alternative spelling of slue
- slued verb
- past form
Commonly confused: slue or slew? slue or slough?
slue vs slew
Slew is a variant of this verb but also means a large number, as in a slew of problems.
slue vs slough
Slough is a swamp or to shed skin; it is unrelated to slue.
Practice
The crane operator slowly ___ the load toward the truck.
Choose one answer.
Slued means swung around a pivot, which describes a crane's movement. Slid is tempting but suggests sliding in a straight line.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “slue”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.