sliver

1 of 2

noun

sliv·​er ˈsli-vər 

 sense 2 is usually  ˈslī-

1

a

: a long slender piece cut or torn off : splinter

b

: a small and narrow portion

a sliver of land

c

: particle, scrap

not a sliver of evidence

2

: an untwisted strand or rope of textile fiber produced by a carding or combing machine and ready for drawing, roving, or spinning

sliver

2 of 2

verb

sliv·​er ˈsli-vər 

slivered; slivering ˈsli-və-riŋ 

ˈsliv-riŋ

transitive verb

: to cut into slivers : splinter

intransitive verb

: to become split into slivers

Synonyms

Noun

• chip
• fragment
• shard
• splinter

Verb

• slice

Examples of sliver in a Sentence

Noun

I got a sliver of wood stuck in my finger.

Verb

carefully slivered the rattan stems into strips for basketry

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Every single time the Americans did something to claim a sliver of momentum, the visitors dropped a hammer on them with a tying putt or some tee-to-green show of precision and poise that surely made an admirer of the most accomplished golfer in the house, Michael Jordan. —Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025

People have seen slivers in movies like Paid in Full and read conjecture online, but beneath the surface is an entire world that hasn’t been seen before. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025

Verb

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 104 people in 14 states developed E. coli infections after eating McDonald’s items that contained fresh, slivered onions. —Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025

Water chestnuts, slivered almonds, and crisp potato chips add plenty of texture and flavor to this warm version of classic chicken salad. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English slivere, from sliven to slice off, from Old English -slīfan; akin to Old English -slǣfan to cut

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for sliver

• giver
• liver
• livre
• quiver
• river
• shiver
• caregiver
• deliver
• downriver
• lawgiver
• upriver

Kids Definition

sliver

1 of 2 noun

sliv·​er ˈsliv-ər 

1

: a long slender piece cut or torn off : splinter

2

: a small and narrow portion

a sliver of pie

sliver

2 of 2 verb

slivered; slivering

ˈsliv-(ə-)riŋ

: to cut or form into slivers : splinter