sleek

1 of 2

verb

sleeked; sleeking; sleeks

transitive verb

1
: slick
grooms sleeking cooled horsesSunset
2
: to cover up : gloss over

sleek

2 of 2

adjective

1
a
: smooth and glossy as if polished
sleek dark hair
b
: having a smooth well-groomed look
sleek cattle
c
: healthy-looking
2
: smooth in speech or manner
also : unctuous
3
a
: having a prosperous air
sleek luxury condominiums
b
: having trim graceful lines
a sleek car
c
: elegant, stylish
a sleek wardrobe
sleekly adverb
sleekness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for sleek

sleek, slick, glossy mean having a smooth bright surface or appearance.

sleek suggests a smoothness or brightness resulting from attentive grooming or physical conditioning.

a sleek racehorse

slick suggests extreme smoothness that results in a slippery surface.

slipped and fell on the slick floor

glossy suggests a highly reflective surface.

photographs having a glossy finish

Examples of sleek in a Sentence

Adjective the sleek lines of a sports car a striking beauty with sleek raven hair
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Early adopters like Jennifer Lawrence have proved just how chic the bag can make any outfit look, from a plain white T-shirt and jeans to sleek trousers and a trench coat. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2024 Each showed off their unique flair from sleek quiet luxury to abs-baring fashion to sleek menswear respectively. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 Other crucial It items in the mix include crisp shirting, perfect for layering underneath lightweight knitwear, to sleek pairs of tailored trousers. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2024 From office-ready quarter-zips and sleek turtlenecks to luxurious cashmere cardigans, few wardrobe pieces are as indispensable as a great sweater. Jeremy Freed, wsj.com, 10 Nov. 2023 From styles meant for hardcore outdoor use like these Merrell hiking boots to comfier classic Ugg mini boots to sleek Sorel snow boots, there are so many options highly discounted right now. Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2023 The town has a diverse mix of homes that run the gamut from Victorian to sleek new constructions. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2023 Read on for their favorite styles, from cozy cashmere picks made for movie nights on the couch to sleek leather joggers to wear out on the town. Karen I. Chen, wsj.com, 15 Sep. 2023 After three consecutive quarters of declining iPhone sales, Apple is betting that new improvements to existing iPhone features, from cameras and chips to sleek new titanium material, will entice consumers to upgrade. Byrachyl Jones, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Who had triumphed in the face-off between sleek practicality and sensual excess? Lena Dunham, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2024 Other amenities include an entertainment room and sleek movie theater in the basement, an outdoor tennis court and French-style gardens designed by renowned landscape designer OneAbode. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2024 It is outfitted with a high wood-vaulted ceiling, colorful murals, whimsical prints by local artists, sleek half-booth style seating and a rustic, yet modern, bar. Morgan Fischer, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024 Cordless vacuums are the sleek solutions to clunky, cumbersome spring cleaning gadgets. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024 Moving beyond the traditional, this device combines sleek design with functionality, promising an experience that marries technology with everyday convenience. Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024 The sleek design is compatible with most modern aesthetics. Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024 Available in a sleek navy blue as well as a litany of seasonal flavors. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Apr. 2024 In contrast, whitetail ears are sleek, a bit pointy-looking and typically held more erect. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 10 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sleek.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sleken, alteration of sliken — more at slick entry 2

Adjective

alteration of slick entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleek was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sleek

Cite this Entry

“Sleek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleek. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

sleek

1 of 2 verb
: to make or become sleek

sleek

2 of 2 adjective
1
a
: smooth and glossy as if polished
sleek dark hair
b
: having a smooth healthy well-groomed look
sleek cattle grazing
2
: having a prosperous look or manner
sleekly adverb
sleekness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sleek

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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