slice

1 of 2

verb

sliced; slicing

transitive verb

1
: to cut with or as if with a knife
2
: to stir or spread with a slice
3
: to hit (a ball) so that a slice results
4
: interpret, construe
used in phrases like any way you slice it

intransitive verb

1
: to slice something
2
: to move with a cutting action
the ship sliced through the waves
sliceable adjective
slicer noun

slice

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a thin flat piece cut from something
b
: a wedge-shaped piece (as of pie or cake)
2
: a spatula for spreading paint or ink
3
: a serving knife with wedge-shaped blade
a fish slice
4
: a flight of a ball that deviates from a straight course in the direction of the dominant hand of the player propelling it
also : a ball following such a course compare hook
5

Examples of slice in a Sentence

Verb She sliced the lemon in half. He sliced open his finger while cleaning the fish. The knife sliced through the cake easily. Noun thin slices of roast beef The Fourth of July parade was a real slice of Americana. He hit a slice into the right rough.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Don’t be afraid to mix-and-match sprouts (with the stems removed and sliced in half) with cubes of squash, sweet potatoes, or your other fall favorites. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2024 Or slice up and toast a French baguette from Breadsmith — the large-scale bakery was founded on Milwaukee’s east side and, aside from its Downer Avenue bakery, has locations in Greenfield, Whitefish Bay and Wauwatosa. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 26 Sep. 2024
Noun
The Dead Rabbit Just a few steps past The Battery, visitors can discover a tiny slice of the Emerald Isle in the form of The Dead Rabbit, a storied venue that offers four distinct drinking spaces across three floors. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 One plenty of other parents have made before her: Giving her children a bigger slice of her time. Mia Taylor, Parents, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slice 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sklicen, from Anglo-French esclicer to splinter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German slīzan to tear apart — more at slit

Noun

Middle English sclise, slise, from Anglo-French esclice splinter, from esclicer

First Known Use

Verb

1551, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of slice was in 1551

Dictionary Entries Near slice

Cite this Entry

“Slice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slice. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

slice

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a thin flat piece cut from something
a slice of bread
b
: a wedge-shaped piece (as of pie or cake)
2
: the flight of a ball curving to the right when hit by someone right-handed or to the left when hit by someone left-handed

slice

2 of 2 verb
sliced; slicing
1
a
: to cut with or as if with a knife
b
: to cut something into slices
2
: to hit a ball so that a slice results
slicer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on slice

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