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 of sliver

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

This retro snack, wrapped in puff pastry with slivers of jalapeño peppers, will disappear fast at any party. —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 21 May 2026

The dress is shaped by a series of cutouts down the bodice, exposing slivers of the dancer’s skin. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 20 May 2026

Verb

This hot chicken salad adds a dose of texture and crunch thanks to the additions of water chestnuts, slivered almonds, and crisp potato chips. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 11 May 2026

The business executive went viral in February after posting his video review of the Big Arch, a hefty burger packed with two quarter-pound patties, three slices of cheese and crispy onions — along with the usual pickles, slivered onions and lettuce. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2026

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

1608, 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