Skip to main content
slam

slam

85 2.1
A loud noise when something hits or closes suddenly
  • noun
  • /slæm/
translation icon : portazo
  • In a moment, she heard the outhouse door slam shut and another tin thwap.
  • door slam

Examples

  • Geilie shut the window with a slam, making a break in the anticipatory rumble below.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Plaster from the ceiling breaks off in huge chunks and slams to the carpet.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • A moment later came the slam of its door, her own front door opening, and Virginia's voice.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Moments later, I heard the front door slam and the shuffling of feet.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • We hear the back door slam, and Caspar appears in the front passenger window.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We hear his footsteps down the stairs... a door slams. Footsteps again.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The boom swings over Joe and slams into Patricia, knocking her unconscious and into the raging sea.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • She heard the loud slam of the car door as he left the party.

  • The slam of the heavy book closing startled everyone in the quiet library.

  • With a loud slam, the window shut during the storm, rattling the glass.

Synonyms

impact
vsslam
371 3.7

A sudden, forceful hit between two things

is narrower focusing on loud sudden noise rather than mere contact
report
vsslam
78 5.8

A sudden loud noise like the bang of a gun

is more neutral and covers ordinary loud impacts not only weapons
blast
vsslam
27 2.7

A sudden very loud noise that hurts your ears

is used more for ordinary forceful impacts not mainly explosions
jar
vsslam
20 6.9

A sudden strong shake or hit that makes you stumble

is used for loud collisions rather than internal shocks or jolts
thumping
vsslam
16 2.9

A heavy, dull sound made when two objects hit each other

is often a single sudden loud strike rather than repeated dull beats
wham
vsslam
  • Informal
15 3.6

A sudden loud sound when one thing hits another

is broader applying to any loud sudden noise or force
kaboom
vsslam
  • Informal
14 7.5

A loud bang from an explosion or a heavy hit

is the common word for sudden impacts rather than explosive noise
wallop
vsslam
  • Informal
11 7.0

A strong emotional effect that stays with you

is more about physical strength or result than noisy sound
a loud bang
vsslam
10 1.2

A sudden very loud noise often from an explosion or crash

is the broader term not limited to sharp explosive noises
clunk
vsslam
8 6.0

A heavy, dull sound made when something hits a hard surface

is generally sharper and louder rather than low and dull sounding
kerplunk
vsslam
2 9.5

A sudden heavy splash or thud when something falls

is broader and applies to any loud strike not only splashes
whomp
vsslam
  • US
1 8.1

A loud heavy sound when something hits or falls

is the general label but often less thick or dull in tone
hard slam
vsslam
4.1

A very loud forceful closing of a door or window

is the same idea but less forceful and slightly quieter
jounce
vsslam
9.9

A sudden jolt that makes things shake

is about sudden noise and impact rather than mere movement
impaction
vsslam
9.3

A strong hit that makes a sudden hard contact with something

is used more commonly for ordinary loud impacts not technical collision terms

Idioms

slam-bang
  • Informal
8.6

In a sudden, loud, and forceful way

Compounds

slam dunk
  • Informal
30 3.0

An action or result that is sure to succeed

grand slam
  • Jargon
4 6.6

Winning every trick in one hand of bridge

3 3.4

A strong shot where a player jumps and puts the ball through the hoop with one or both hands

slam on
  • Informal
1 8.2

A strong attack in words on a person or group

slam against
  • Offensive
1 7.9

A strong criticism that attacks a person or idea

little slam
  • Jargon
8.9

A bridge contract that wins twelve of the thirteen tricks

4.1

A very loud forceful closing of a door or window

slam dance
  • Jargon
8.8

A style of dancing where people bump into each other on purpose, usually at punk shows

slam dancing
  • Informal
8.4

A style of dancing where people push and bump into each other to loud music

slam-bang
  • Informal
8.1

Full of sudden, loud action and fast movement

small slam
  • Jargon
9.2

A bridge result when players win all but one trick in a hand

How Loud

to crash
71 2.4
bang
237 1.3
slam
85 2.1
thud
81 2.2
bump
91 1.4

Surface Forms

slam singular
slams plural

Etymology

Slam comes from a sound word that copies a heavy impact, like the sharp 'bang' when something hits or a door closes. So a slam is a sudden, loud noise or forceful impact.