sleek

1 of 2

adjective

ˈslēk 

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

sleek

2 of 2

verb

sleeked; sleeking; sleeks

transitive verb

1

: slick

… grooms sleeking cooled horses …

—Sunset

2

: to cover up : gloss over

intransitive verb

: slick

Synonyms of sleek

Adjective

• polished
• glossy
• glistening

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

Adjective

The property is walkable to many of the top tourist attractions, and to local-first neighborhoods, all while adding its own sleek contribution to the NoMad area. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026

Childs’ exalted use of dance and Kosky’s dazzling theatrical imagination may have moved us into a sleeker, more sophisticated and paradisal Glassian realm, but the sheer passion McDermott and Stasevska bring continues its own attraction. —Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Verb

And while she’s known for experimenting with her look — from waist-length neon wigs to sleek blunt bobs — Cardi has shown that her natural hair is full and long, stretching down her back. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026

From abstract prints to sleek straight-leg styles, these are the jeans that will carry you into the warmer months. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

alteration of slick entry 1

Verb

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

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

Rhymes for sleek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek

Kids Definition

sleek

1 of 2 verb

ˈslēk 

: 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