oil slick

noun

: a film of oil floating on water

Examples of oil slick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The images, the last of which was on Friday, show an oil sheen covering about 20 square kilometers (8 square miles) and dark spots of crude oil slicks on the shores of Dhofar’s Qibliyah Island, part of the Hallaniyat Islands. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 The Giants encountered one oil slick after another in a 16-2 loss to the Brewers at American Family Field. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 2 June 2026 Another driver nearly lost control of their vehicle when the vehicle hit the oil slick, the driver told the CHP in an emergency call. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2026 Coast Guard and Navy planes and helicopters searched into the night for four missing crewmen, but found only oil slicks. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for oil slick

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oil slick was in 1887

Rhymes for oil slick

See All Rhymes for oil slick

Browse Nearby Words

oilskinned
oil slick
oil spot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oil slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oil%20slick. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oil slick

noun
: a film of oil floating on water
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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