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B1 Noun #31 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

slab

Top 31

A slab is a word for a very big, thick, and flat piece of something hard. Imagine a big piece of chocolate that is not thin, but very thick. That is a slab. Or think of a big, heavy stone in a garden that you can stand on. We use 'slab' for things like stone, wood, or even food. It is always flat on the top and bottom, like a table. It is not round like a ball. It is usually heavy. You might see a 'slab of cake' if someone gives you a very large piece. It is a simple word to describe something that is thick and flat.

At the A2 level, you can use 'slab' to describe specific objects in your home or town. A 'concrete slab' is the flat part of the ground that a house is built on. A 'paving slab' is a flat stone used to make a path in a park. When you talk about food, a 'slab' is a big, rectangular piece. For example, 'I bought a slab of cheese at the market.' This means the cheese is thick and shaped like a brick but flatter. Remember, a slab is much thicker than a slice. If you cut a thin piece of bread, it is a slice. If you cut a very thick, heavy piece, you could call it a slab.

At the B1 level, 'slab' becomes useful for describing materials and construction. You might read about 'slabs of rock' in a story about mountains. In a kitchen, a 'granite slab' is a popular choice for a countertop because it is strong and flat. The word implies something substantial. It is also used in common phrases like 'a slab of meat'. This level also introduces the idea that 'slab' can be used for things that are not just stone or food, like a 'slab of butter' or a 'slab of clay'. It is a versatile noun for anything that is solid, thick, and has a flat surface.

At the B2 level, you should understand the more technical and idiomatic uses of 'slab'. In geology, a 'slab' refers to a large portion of a tectonic plate. In construction, 'slab-on-grade' is a specific type of foundation. You might also encounter the word in more descriptive writing, such as 'slabs of light' falling across a floor, which uses the word metaphorically to describe the shape of the light. You should also be aware of the difference between 'slab', 'plank', and 'panel'. A slab is generally thicker and more 'raw' than a finished panel or a long plank of wood.

At the C1 level, you can use 'slab' to add precision to your descriptions. It often appears in academic or professional contexts. For instance, in archaeology, 'burial slabs' are significant artifacts. In medical or forensic contexts, 'the slab' is a well-known metonym for the autopsy table. You can also use it to describe abstract concepts, like a 'slab of text', which implies a dense, uninviting block of writing. The word carries a connotation of weight, coldness, or lack of detail. Using 'slab' instead of 'piece' or 'part' shows a better command of descriptive English and an ability to convey texture and mass.

At the C2 level, 'slab' is used with nuance in literature and high-level discourse. It can describe the 'monolithic' nature of certain structures or ideas. You might analyze how an author uses 'slabs of silence' to create a heavy atmosphere in a scene. It is also used in advanced scientific discussions, such as the 'slab suction' force in geophysics. At this level, you understand that 'slab' evokes a specific sensory experience—something cold, hard, and imposing. You can use it to contrast with more fluid or delicate concepts, using the word's inherent 'heaviness' to ground your imagery or arguments.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

slab en 30 secondes

A thick, flat, and usually rectangular piece of solid material.
Commonly used for stone, concrete, wood, and large portions of food.
Implies significant weight and volume compared to a slice or sheet.
Used in construction, geology, and culinary contexts.

The word slab refers to a substantial, thick, and typically flat piece of solid material. When you think of a slab, imagine something that has significant weight and volume, unlike a thin slice or a flimsy sheet. It is most commonly associated with heavy materials like stone, concrete, wood, or metal, but it can also describe large portions of food, such as meat, cake, or chocolate. The essence of a slab lies in its geometric regularity—usually rectangular or square—and its impressive thickness. It is a word that conveys a sense of permanence and sturdiness. In construction, a slab is the foundation of a building; in nature, it is a massive face of rock; in the kitchen, it is a generous serving that promises satisfaction.

Physicality: A slab is defined by its three dimensions, where the length and width are significantly greater than the thickness, yet the thickness itself is still substantial enough to be considered 'heavy' or 'solid'.
Materiality: Commonly used for inorganic substances like granite, marble, or paving stones, but equally applicable to organic matter like a slab of ribs or a slab of oak timber.
Industrial Context: In manufacturing, metal slabs are intermediate products that are later rolled into thinner sheets or plates.

The construction crew lowered the massive concrete slab into place to form the base of the new skyscraper.

People use this word when they want to emphasize the bulk or the raw, unrefined state of an object. For instance, a jeweler might work with a small 'gemstone', but a mason works with a 'slab of marble'. The word often appears in technical contexts like geology, where it describes a large portion of the Earth's crust or a flat section of rock in a mountain range. It also carries a certain level of informality in culinary settings, where a 'slab of cake' implies a much larger and perhaps less delicate portion than a 'slice'.

He served me a giant slab of apple pie that was almost too big to finish.

In a more somber context, 'the slab' is a common euphemism for the table in a morgue where an autopsy is performed. This usage highlights the cold, hard, and functional nature of the material (usually stainless steel or stone) used in such settings. Overall, 'slab' is a versatile noun that bridges the gap between industrial utility and everyday descriptive language, always maintaining its core identity of being thick, flat, and heavy.

Using 'slab' correctly requires an understanding of the material being described and the context of its shape. It is almost always used as a countable noun. You can have one slab, two slabs, or several slabs. It often functions as the head of a noun phrase followed by 'of' and the material name (e.g., 'a slab of granite').

As a Subject: 'The slab of concrete was too heavy for the crane to lift safely.'
As an Object: 'The sculptor selected a pristine slab of Carrara marble for his next masterpiece.'
In Prepositional Phrases: 'The fossils were found embedded within a thick slab of limestone.'

We placed a heavy slab of slate over the muddy patch in the garden to create a temporary path.

When describing food, 'slab' is often used to imply a generous or even excessive portion. It suggests that the food has been cut roughly or in a large, rectangular block rather than a delicate slice. For example, 'a slab of bacon' refers to a large, unsliced piece of the meat, whereas 'a slab of chocolate' might refer to a whole bar or a large broken piece from a larger block.

The kitchen featured a stunning slab of polished granite that served as the central island.

In technical writing, especially in engineering or geology, 'slab' is used with precision. A 'floor slab' is a specific structural component. A 'subducting slab' in plate tectonics refers to a portion of the oceanic lithosphere sinking into the mantle. In these cases, the word is not just descriptive but a formal term for a specific entity. Using it correctly in these fields demonstrates a high level of professional vocabulary.

You are likely to encounter the word 'slab' in several distinct environments. The most common is the construction site. Architects, engineers, and builders constantly discuss 'concrete slabs' when laying foundations or floors. If you are watching a home renovation show, you will hear designers talking about 'stone slabs' for countertops or 'paving slabs' for outdoor patios.

Culinary Settings: In a deli or a butcher shop, you might hear a customer ask for a 'slab of ribs' or a 'slab of cheese'. It implies a bulk purchase.
Geology and Nature: Hikers and climbers often use the word to describe flat, sloping rock faces. 'We had to scramble up a steep granite slab to reach the summit.'
Crime Dramas: In television shows like 'CSI' or 'Law & Order', the coroner might mention 'putting the body on the slab', referring to the autopsy table.

'The delivery driver left the slab of sod right in the middle of the driveway,' complained the homeowner.

Another place you'll hear it is in the tech industry, albeit metaphorically. Sometimes, a very large and heavy smartphone or tablet is jokingly referred to as a 'glass slab'. This highlights the modern design trend of flat, rectangular devices. Similarly, in literature or gaming, a 'slab of text' refers to a long, dense paragraph that is difficult to read because it lacks breaks or formatting.

The ancient temple was built from massive slabs of sandstone that had weathered over thousands of years.

Finally, in the art world, particularly in pottery, 'slab building' is a technique where flat pieces of clay are joined together to create ceramic forms. If you take a pottery class, you will definitely learn how to roll out a slab. Whether it's the physical weight of stone or the metaphorical weight of a 'slab of information', the word is deeply embedded in both technical and casual English.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 'slab' with 'slice'. While both refer to a piece of something larger, a 'slice' is typically thin and often delicate (like a slice of bread or a slice of lemon). A 'slab' is thick and heavy. If you ask for a 'slab of bread', you are implying a very thick, perhaps hand-cut piece that is much larger than a standard slice.

Slab vs. Block: A 'block' is usually more cubic (equal dimensions), whereas a 'slab' is distinctly flat. You might have a block of ice, but a slab of ice would be a flat sheet of it.
Slab vs. Sheet: A 'sheet' is very thin and flexible, like a sheet of paper or a bedsheet. A 'slab' is rigid and thick.
Misusing the Euphemism: Using 'the slab' to refer to a regular hospital bed is incorrect; it specifically carries the connotation of the morgue or a cold operating table.

Incorrect: 'I need a slab of paper to write a note.' (Correct: 'sheet')

Another common error is using 'slab' for materials that aren't solid or don't hold a flat shape. You wouldn't have a 'slab of water' or a 'slab of sand' unless they were frozen or compressed into a solid form. The word requires the material to be 'solid' and 'self-supporting'.

Incorrect: 'The carpenter cut a thin slab of veneer.' (Correct: 'sheet' or 'strip' because veneer is very thin)

Finally, be careful with the register. Calling a piece of food a 'slab' can sometimes sound a bit unrefined or greedy, depending on the context. If you are at a formal dinner, you probably shouldn't ask for a 'slab of roast beef'; 'slice' or 'serving' would be more appropriate. Save 'slab' for casual barbecues or when describing the raw ingredients in the kitchen.

Understanding the synonyms and alternatives for 'slab' helps you choose the most precise word for your needs. While 'slab' is excellent for thick, flat objects, other words might capture the nuance of size, material, or purpose more effectively.

Plaque: A 'plaque' is usually a slab used for commemorative purposes, often with an inscription. It is typically thinner and more decorative than a functional slab.
Flagstone: A 'flagstone' is a specific type of flat stone slab used for paving walkways or floors. It is a more precise term in landscaping.
Panel: A 'panel' is a flat, usually rectangular piece that forms part of a larger surface, like a wall panel or a solar panel. It is often thinner and lighter than a slab.

Instead of a rough slab, the museum used a polished bronze plaque to honor the donor.

In the context of wood, you might use 'plank' or 'board'. A 'plank' is long, flat, and thick, very similar to a slab, but usually narrower. A 'slab' of wood often refers to a cross-section of a tree trunk that still shows the natural edges (live-edge slab). In construction, 'paving stone' or 'paver' is a common alternative for smaller slabs used in ground cover.

The geologist identified the formation as a massive monolith, which is essentially one giant slab of rock.

When talking about food, 'wedge' is a good alternative if the piece is triangular (like a wedge of cheese). 'Hunk' is used for a large, irregularly shaped piece (a hunk of bread). 'Slab' remains the best choice when the food item is rectangular and substantial, like a slab of ribs or a slab of fudge. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the shape (slab), the purpose (plaque), or the size (hunk).

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Neutre

Informel

Child friendly

Argot

Le savais-tu ?

In the 16th century, 'slab' was also used to describe a puddle or a muddy place, though this meaning has completely disappeared.

Guide de prononciation

UK /slæb/

US /slæb/

Single syllable, equal stress.

Rime avec

cab dab gab jab lab nab tab grab

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'a' like 'ay' (slayb).
Not voicing the final 'b', making it sound like 'slap'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in descriptive and technical texts.

Écriture 4/5

Requires understanding the difference between slice, block, and slab.

Expression orale 3/5

Useful for describing food and household items.

Écoute 2/5

Clear, distinct sound that is easy to recognize.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

flat thick piece stone heavy

Apprends ensuite

monolith plaque foundation tectonic granite

Avancé

subduction brutalism metonymy lithosphere

Grammaire à connaître

Nouns of Measure/Shape

A [shape] of [material] - A slab of granite.

Countable vs Uncountable

Slab is countable; the material it is made of is often uncountable (e.g., a slab of concrete).

Adjective Order

A heavy, rectangular, grey stone slab.

Compound Nouns

Paving slab, floor slab.

Prepositional Phrases

Embedded in the slab.

Exemples par niveau

I ate a big slab of chocolate.

J'ai mangé un gros morceau de chocolat.

Countable noun: 'a slab'.

The stone slab is in the garden.

La dalle de pierre est dans le jardin.

Definite article 'the' used for a specific object.

He has a slab of cake.

Il a une grosse part de gâteau.

Preposition 'of' connects the shape to the material.

Put the slab on the floor.

Posez la dalle sur le sol.

Imperative sentence.

This is a thick slab of wood.

C'est une épaisse planche de bois.

Adjective 'thick' often modifies 'slab'.

The cat sat on the warm slab.

Le chat s'est assis sur la dalle chaude.

Subject-Verb-Prepositional Phrase.

We need one more slab of stone.

Nous avons besoin d'une dalle de pierre de plus.

Use of 'one more' with a countable noun.

The slab is very heavy.

La dalle est très lourde.

Simple predicate adjective.

The workers are laying a concrete slab for the garage.

Les ouvriers posent une dalle de béton pour le garage.

Present continuous tense.

She bought a slab of bacon at the store.

Elle a acheté un bloc de lard au magasin.

Past simple tense.

The path is made of grey paving slabs.

Le chemin est fait de dalles de pavage grises.

Passive voice 'is made of'.

He cut a slab of cheese for his sandwich.

Il a coupé une tranche épaisse de fromage pour son sandwich.

Direct object 'slab of cheese'.

There is a large slab of ice on the lake.

Il y a une grande plaque de glace sur le lac.

'There is' introduces a new subject.

The table has a beautiful marble slab on top.

La table a une belle plaque de marbre sur le dessus.

Possessive 'has'.

They lifted the slab together.

Ils ont soulevé la dalle ensemble.

Adverb 'together' modifies the action.

Watch out for that loose slab on the stairs.

Attention à cette dalle instable dans l'escalier.

Demonstrative adjective 'that'.

The fossils were preserved in a slab of limestone.

Les fossiles ont été conservés dans une plaque de calcaire.

Passive voice 'were preserved'.

A massive slab of rock fell from the cliff.

Un énorme bloc de roche est tombé de la falaise.

Adjective 'massive' adds emphasis.

The kitchen island is topped with a single slab of granite.

L'îlot de cuisine est surmonté d'une seule plaque de granit.

Compound noun 'kitchen island'.

He served us each a slab of homemade fudge.

Il nous a servi à chacun un carré de fudge maison.

Indirect object 'us' and direct object 'slab'.

The foundation of the house is a thick concrete slab.

La fondation de la maison est une épaisse dalle de béton.

Defining a noun with another noun phrase.

The sculptor chipped away at the marble slab.

Le sculpteur taillait la plaque de marbre.

Phrasal verb 'chip away at'.

We found a flat slab of wood to use as a bench.

Nous avons trouvé une planche de bois plate pour l'utiliser comme banc.

Infinitive of purpose 'to use'.

The roof was made of heavy slate slabs.

Le toit était fait de lourdes dalles d'ardoise.

Plural 'slabs'.

The subducting slab of the tectonic plate causes earthquakes.

La plaque plongeante de la plaque tectonique provoque des tremblements de terre.

Technical geological usage.

The artist preferred working with raw slabs of clay.

L'artiste préférait travailler avec des plaques de terre crue.

Gerund 'working' after 'preferred'.

A slab of light cut through the darkness of the hallway.

Une tranche de lumière traversait l'obscurité du couloir.

Metaphorical usage.

The steak was so large it looked like a slab of meat.

Le steak était si gros qu'il ressemblait à un bloc de viande.

Simile 'looked like'.

They used a hydraulic lift to move the steel slab.

Ils ont utilisé un élévateur hydraulique pour déplacer la plaque d'acier.

Compound noun 'steel slab'.

The tomb was sealed with a heavy stone slab.

Le tombeau était scellé par une lourde dalle de pierre.

Past participle 'sealed' as an adjective.

The sidewalk was uneven because of the shifting slabs.

Le trottoir était inégal à cause du déplacement des dalles.

Prepositional phrase 'because of'.

He brought a slab of beer to the party.

Il a apporté un carton de bière à la fête.

Informal regional usage (Australian/NZ).

The manuscript was hidden beneath a loose slab in the cellar.

Le manuscrit était caché sous une dalle instable dans la cave.

Preposition 'beneath' is more formal than 'under'.

The brutalist building was essentially a series of concrete slabs.

Le bâtiment brutaliste était essentiellement une série de dalles de béton.

Adverb 'essentially' modifies the whole concept.

The coroner placed the evidence on the stainless steel slab.

Le coroner a placé les preuves sur la table en acier inoxydable.

Specific professional context (forensics).

Her latest novel is a formidable slab of prose.

Son dernier roman est un pavé de prose impressionnant.

Metaphorical 'slab of prose'.

The waterfall cascaded over a series of granite slabs.

La cascade tombait en cascade sur une série de dalles de granit.

Verb 'cascaded' evokes movement.

The ancient inscriptions were carved into a black basalt slab.

Les inscriptions anciennes étaient gravées dans une dalle de basalte noir.

Passive voice 'were carved'.

The company produces high-quality silicon slabs for semiconductors.

L'entreprise produit des plaques de silicium de haute qualité pour les semi-conducteurs.

Technical manufacturing context.

A slab of cold air hit him as he opened the freezer door.

Une bouffée d'air froid l'a frappé lorsqu'il a ouvert la porte du congélateur.

Abstract usage for sensory experience.

The monolithic slab stood as a silent sentinel in the desert.

La dalle monolithique se dressait comme une sentinelle silencieuse dans le désert.

Elevated literary style.

The city's architecture is dominated by oppressive slabs of grey stone.

L'architecture de la ville est dominée par des blocs oppressants de pierre grise.

Adjective 'oppressive' conveys tone.

Geophysicists study the thermal structure of the subducting slab.

Les géophysiciens étudient la structure thermique de la plaque en subduction.

Highly specialized academic terminology.

The poet described the sky as a leaden slab pressing down on the earth.

Le poète a décrit le ciel comme une dalle de plomb pesant sur la terre.

Metaphorical imagery.

The autopsy revealed the truth that had been hidden on the slab.

L'autopsie a révélé la vérité qui avait été cachée sur la table.

Metonymy ('the slab' for the whole process).

The sheer scale of the marble slab made it nearly impossible to transport.

L'ampleur de la plaque de marbre la rendait presque impossible à transporter.

Noun phrase 'sheer scale' emphasizes size.

The text was presented in dense slabs, devoid of any paragraph breaks.

Le texte était présenté en blocs denses, dépourvus de tout saut de paragraphe.

Adjective phrase 'devoid of' adds formality.

The landscape was a mosaic of frozen slabs of peat and ice.

Le paysage était une mosaïque de plaques gelées de tourbe et de glace.

Complex metaphor 'mosaic of...'

Collocations courantes

concrete slab

marble slab

stone slab

slab of meat

slab of chocolate

paving slab

granite slab

tectonic slab

floor slab

slab of wood

Phrases Courantes

on the slab

a slab of beer

slab of text

slab building

slab-on-grade

raw slab

massive slab

paving the way with slabs

cut into slabs

polished slab

Souvent confondu avec

slab vs slice

A slice is thin; a slab is thick.

slab vs block

A block is chunky/cubic; a slab is flat.

slab vs sheet

A sheet is very thin and flexible; a slab is rigid.

Expressions idiomatiques

"lay it on like a slab"

To apply something very thickly or excessively.

He laid the paint on like a slab.

informal

"cold as a morgue slab"

Extremely cold and uninviting.

The room was as cold as a morgue slab.

literary

"hit the slab"

To fall heavily onto a flat surface.

The heavy box hit the slab with a thud.

informal

"stiff as a slab"

Completely rigid or dead.

After the long hike, my legs were stiff as a slab.

informal

"slab of a man"

A very large, solid, and imposing man.

The bouncer was a huge slab of a man.

descriptive

"carved in a slab"

Permanent and unchangeable (similar to 'carved in stone').

These rules aren't carved in a slab.

metaphorical

"slab of life"

A variation of 'slice of life', implying a larger portion.

The documentary gave us a real slab of life in the city.

creative

"under the slab"

Buried or dead.

He's been under the slab for ten years now.

slang

"slab-sided"

Having flat, vertical sides (often used for cars or animals).

The old truck was slab-sided and ugly.

descriptive

"off the slab"

Recovered from a near-death or critical state.

The project is finally off the slab and moving again.

metaphorical

Facile à confondre

slab vs slap

Similar sound.

A slap is a hit with a flat hand; a slab is a thick piece of material.

He gave the table a slap. vs. He put a slab on the table.

slab vs slat

Similar sound and shape.

A slat is a thin, narrow strip (like in a blind); a slab is thick and wide.

The bed has wooden slats. vs. The floor is a concrete slab.

slab vs slabber

Similar root.

Slabber means to drool or dribble; slab is a solid object.

The baby slabbered on his bib.

slab vs slug

Phonetic similarity.

A slug is a creature or a piece of metal; a slab is a flat shape.

A slug in the garden. vs. A slab in the garden.

slab vs slack

Phonetic similarity.

Slack means loose or lazy; slab is a solid object.

The rope is slack.

Structures de phrases

It is a [adjective] slab.

It is a big slab.

I have a slab of [noun].

I have a slab of cheese.

The [noun] is made of [material] slabs.

The path is made of stone slabs.

A slab of [noun] [verb] through the [noun].

A slab of light cut through the room.

Beneath the [adjective] slab lay the [noun].

Beneath the heavy slab lay the treasure.

The [noun] was presented as a dense slab of [abstract noun].

The history was presented as a dense slab of facts.

They [verb] the slab into [noun].

They cut the slab into pieces.

The [noun] was built on a [material] slab.

The shed was built on a concrete slab.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in specific domains (construction, cooking, geology).

Erreurs courantes

A slab of paper. → A sheet of paper.
Paper is too thin to be a slab.
A slice of concrete. → A slab of concrete.
Concrete is too heavy and thick to be called a slice.
The slab of the bread. → The slice of bread.
Unless the bread is cut extremely thick (like 3 inches), use 'slice'.
A slab of water. → A sheet of ice.
Liquids cannot be slabs; only solids can.
He gave me a slab on the face. → He gave me a slap on the face.
'Slap' is the action; 'slab' is the object.

Astuces

Check the Thickness

If the object is thinner than an inch, consider using 'sheet' or 'slice' instead of 'slab'.

Construction Context

Always use 'slab' when referring to the concrete base of a building; it's the professional term.

Meat Portions

Use 'slab' for ribs or bacon to indicate they haven't been cut into individual servings yet.

Writing Style

Call a boring paragraph a 'slab of text' to emphasize how difficult it is to get through.

Travel Tip

If you're in Australia, 'buying a slab' means you're bringing a lot of beer to the party!

Pottery Class

When making ceramics, 'slabs' are your best friend for making geometric shapes.

Earth Science

Use 'slab' to describe the heavy parts of the Earth's crust in your science reports.

Voice the 'B'

Make sure the 'b' sound at the end is clear so people don't think you said 'slap'.

Precision

Use 'flagstone' for garden paths to sound more like an expert landscaper.

Visualize a Table

If you could use the object as a small, sturdy tabletop, it's probably a slab.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

S-L-A-B: Solid, Large, And Broad. This helps you remember its physical characteristics.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant 'slab' of chocolate that is too thick to break with your hands. The weight and flatness are the key.

Word Web

Stone Concrete Meat Flat Thick Heavy Foundation Countertop

Défi

Try to find three things in your house that could be called a 'slab' and describe them using the word.

Origine du mot

The word 'slab' appeared in Middle English around the 14th century. Its exact origins are somewhat obscure, but it is thought to be related to the Old French word 'esclat', meaning a fragment or a splinter.

Sens originel : Originally, it referred to a piece of broken stone or a thin plate of metal.

Indo-European > Germanic roots influenced by Old French.

Contexte culturel

Be careful using 'the slab' in medical contexts as it can be seen as insensitive to the deceased.

Commonly used in DIY and home improvement contexts in the US and UK.

The 'monolith' in 2001: A Space Odyssey is a famous giant black slab. Stonehenge consists of massive stone slabs. The Rosetta Stone is a famous slab of granodiorite.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Construction

pour the slab
concrete slab foundation
reinforced slab
level the slab

Cooking

slab of bacon
slab of ribs
slab of chocolate
cut into slabs

Geology

rock slab
tectonic slab
subducting slab
limestone slab

Home Decor

marble slab countertop
granite slab
paving slabs
stone slab

Forensics

on the slab
morgue slab
autopsy slab
stainless steel slab

Amorces de conversation

"Have you ever tried to lay paving slabs in a garden yourself?"

"What kind of material would you choose for a kitchen counter slab?"

"Do you prefer a thin slice of cake or a thick slab?"

"Have you seen the massive stone slabs at ancient sites like Stonehenge?"

"What do you think about the 'glass slab' design of modern smartphones?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe the feeling of walking on a cold stone slab with bare feet.

Write about a time you had to move something heavy, like a slab of wood or rock.

Imagine finding an ancient slab with a mysterious message carved into it. What does it say?

Discuss the pros and cons of using a concrete slab foundation for a house.

Describe the most delicious slab of food you have ever eaten.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Usually, 'slab' implies a rectangular or square shape. While a round piece of stone could technically be called a slab if it is thick and flat, words like 'disk' or 'roundel' are more common for circular shapes.

Not necessarily bigger in total volume, but a slab is always flatter. A block might be a cube of 10x10x10, while a slab would be 20x20x2.

In Australia and New Zealand, it's a common term for a 24-pack of beer. It's called a slab because the box is flat and rectangular.

No, 'sheet' is the correct word for paper. 'Slab' implies a thickness that paper doesn't have.

In a medical or crime context, yes, it usually refers to the autopsy table. In any other context, it just refers to a flat piece of material.

It's a technique where you roll out flat sheets of clay (slabs) and then join them together to make boxes, vases, or sculptures.

It's a metaphor for a long, heavy paragraph that is hard to read because it's not broken up by spaces or images.

Yes, large paving stones are often called paving slabs.

Yes, it can mean to cut something into slabs or to cover something with slabs, but this is less common than the noun.

It's another name for a tectonic plate, especially the part that is being pushed down into the Earth's mantle.