Abstract: An additive for a carbonaceous solid-water slurry which excels preeminently in the ability to disperse a finely powdered carbonaceous solid in water and, when used only in a small amount, permits production of a carbonaceous solid-water slurry which possesses high concentration, exhibits high fluidity, and precludes change of viscosity due to aging, a method for the production of the additive, and a slurry composition are provided.