slavery
gb/slˈeɪvɚi/ us/slˈeɪvɚi/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
System of forced labor and ownership
When someone is owned by another person and must work without pay or freedom.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is in slavery
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'slavery' with 'slaver,' which means a person who trades slaves.
Synonyms
bondage (More literary or formal term for the condition of being enslaved.)
|
servitude (A formal term that can mean forced labor, sometimes used more broadly than slavery.)
Antonyms
freedom (Represents the opposite state of being free from control or ownership.)
|
liberty (Emphasizes personal independence and rights, the opposite of being enslaved.)
Collocations
abolish slavery
|end slavery
|modern slavery
|slavery abolition
|slavery system
Themes
history
|human rights
|law
|politics
|work
Examples
- Slavery was officially abolished in the United States in 1865.
- Millions of people around the world are still trapped in modern slavery.
- The museum has an exhibit on the history of slavery in the region.
- She dedicated her life to fighting against human trafficking and slavery.
Learner examples
- Slavery means people are not free.
- Slavery was common in the past.
- Many countries have ended slavery.
- Slavery is against human rights.
Noun
B2
state
2
Extreme control over someone's life or work
When someone is treated very badly and has no freedom in their work or life, like a slave.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is in slavery to [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly think the metaphorical use means actual historical slavery if not given context.
Synonyms
oppression (General term for unfair and cruel control, not limited to ownership.)
|
exploitation (Focuses on unfair use of someone's work or resources.)
Antonyms
autonomy (The ability to make one's own decisions freely.)
|
independence (Being free from control by others.)
Collocations
slavery to debt
|slavery to routine
|economic slavery
Themes
work
|emotions
|relationships
Examples
- Some workers feel their jobs are a kind of slavery.
- He described his long hours as slavery to the company.
- The book explores the slavery of addiction.
Learner examples
- He feels like his job is slavery.
- Debt can be a kind of slavery.
- She says she is in slavery to her boss.
Grammar
Dictionary form
slavery
IPA
GB/slˈeɪvɚi/
US/slˈeɪvɚi/
Syllables & stress
slavery (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (slavery)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: slavery
- Plural: slavery
Word family
Expressions
abolish slavery
1/əbˈɑlɪʃ slˈeɪvɚi/
fixed phrase
formal
End legal ownership of people
To make laws that stop people from owning other people.
Examples
- The country abolished slavery in the 19th century.
- Campaigners worked hard to abolish slavery worldwide.
modern slavery
1/mˈɑdɚn slˈeɪvɚi/
fixed phrase
Exploitation in current times similar to historical slavery
When people today are forced to work or live without freedom, often through threats or lies.
Examples
- Modern slavery affects millions worldwide, including victims of human trafficking.
- The report highlights cases of modern slavery in supply chains.
slavery to debt
1/slˈeɪvɚi tə dˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Being trapped in unfair debt repayment work
When someone must keep working because they owe money and cannot pay it off fairly.
Examples
- Many workers are caught in slavery to debt due to unfair contracts.
- Slavery to debt keeps families in poverty for generations.