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Definition of sloe
sloe
/sloʊ/
sloe
Plural:sloes
sloe Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
sloe Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
The small, bitter, bluish-black fruit of the blackthorn bush, traditionally harvested after the first frost to make preserves or flavor liqueurs.
Example
"We spent the crisp autumn afternoon foraging for sloes in the hedgerows to make our own batch of sloe gin for Christmas."
2
The blackthorn bush (Prunus spinosa) itself, a spiny deciduous shrub native to Europe, western Asia, and locally in northwest Africa.
Example
"The farmer planted a dense thicket of sloe to create an impenetrable natural barrier for the sheep."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for sloeWord Nuance & Usage
Most commonly encountered in modern usage within the compound 'sloe gin', a red liqueur made by infusing the berries in gin.
• Rhymes for sloe
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'slāh' or 'slā', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'slee' and German 'Schlehe'.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sloe. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sloe