slippery

adjective

slip·​pery ˈsli-p(ə-)rē 

slipperier; slipperiest

1

a

: causing or tending to cause something to slide or fall

slippery roads

b

: tending to slip from the grasp

a slippery fish

2

a

: not firmly fixed : unstable

b

: not precise or fixed in meaning : ambiguous, elusive

3

: not to be trusted : tricky

slipperiness noun

Synonyms of slippery

• shady

Examples of slippery in a Sentence

The trails were muddy and slippery.

Fish are slippery to hold.

The sign cautions: “Slippery when wet.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Nevada Fall is known for its steep, slippery and dangerous conditions, featuring a powerful waterfall and fast-moving currents along a roughly 600-foot descent. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026

The velvet coating does a better job of gripping slippery fabrics and delicate garments than plastic or metal alternatives. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

While it has been speculated that the driver lost control of the bus due to the road being slippery from heavy rain, an investigation into the incident remains ongoing, the outlet reported. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026

The shoe’s outsole is also made with rubber pods that make the sneaker extra grippy on slippery surfaces. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

slipper entry 1 + -y entry 1

Note: As the earliest occurrence of slippery appears to be in the Coverdale Bible (1535, Psalm 35:6), it has been suggested that the addition of the suffix -y to the adjective slipper copies German schlipfferig in Luther's translation of the same passage (1534, present-day German schlüpfrig). The German word is ultimately from the same Germanic base as slip entry 5 (see Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology).

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing slippery

• slippery elm
• slippery slope

Kids Definition

slippery

adjective

slip·​pery ˈslip-(ə-)rē 

slipperier; slipperiest

1

: having a surface smooth enough to cause one to slide or lose one's hold

2

: not worthy of trust : tricky, crafty

slipperiness noun