noun / verb
slur
The blending of successive sounds without clear separation.
When he gets tired, he starts to slur his words.
Etymology
Slur has senses involving sliding or running things together. In sound, it names the loss of distinct boundaries between successive notes or syllables; its deeper origin is uncertain.
More examples
- There is a slight slur in her speech after dental surgery.
- The violinist slurs three notes in one bow stroke.
- A curved slur above the notes tells us to connect them smoothly.
Forms
slur · slurs · slurred · slurring
Similar words
- mumble
- Speak quietly and unclearly, without necessarily blending successive sounds.
- garble
- Distort speech or a message, not necessarily by blending sounds.