slasher

noun

slash·​er ˈsla-shər 

plural slashers

1

: someone or something that slashes

especially : a person who mutilates or kills with an edged blade

Sociopathic slashers terrorize the Adirondacks, but can they foil a motley crew of campers from Manhattan?

—Kirkus Reviews

2

: a horror story (especially a movie or book) in which the villain is a serial killer and especially a slasher

—often used before another noun

A gory, … not-for-the-weak, slasher novel for teens.

—Carol Youssif

… my youngest son is a big fan of slasher movies. … where he got this affinity for films featuring large knives and chainsaws and, oh, yes, some actual actors is a mystery.

—Gary Smith

Examples of slasher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The slasher takes place in an idyllic summer town that descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids from his truck with horrifying results. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026

For all you macabre-loving weirdos, HorrorHound Weekend is a great opportunity to meet other fans and industry professionals, participate in costume contests, get an autograph from a celebrity slasher and more. —Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Mar. 2026

Both are one-night-in-hell slashers about two estranged sisters forced to fight their way out of a lair of rich people who’ve joined a devil cult and are hellbent on sacrificing them to their dark lord. —Jada Yuan, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026

Starring Barbie Ferreira, this New Orleans shot slasher is a thrilling twist on the modern remake. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for slasher

• asher
• brasher
• dasher
• flasher
• lasher
• masher
• thrasher
• haberdasher