Logo
dictionary thesaurus

slough of despond

noun phrase
slough of de·​spond | \ ˌslau̇-əv-di-ˈspänd How to pronounce slough of despond (audio) , ˌslü-\

Definition of slough of despond

: a state of extreme depression

First Known Use of slough of despond

1776, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for slough of despond

from the Slough of Despond, deep bog into which Christian falls on the way from the City of Destruction and from which Help saves him in the allegory Pilgrim's Progress (1678) by John Bunyan

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

litmus test

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!