slice

1 of 2

verb

ˈslīs 

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

ˈslī-sə-bəl 

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

a

: portion, share

b

: segment, sample

Synonyms of slice

Verb

• chop
• split

Noun

• sample
• sampling

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

The magazine’s anatomically graphic photos—rats butchered alive, dogs with their faces sliced open, monkeys screaming at the electrodes implanted in their abdomens—seemed like windows into hell. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Cover with foil and allow to stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. — Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2026

Noun

While bitcoin continues to bounce along the lows for the year, and NFT’s have only recovered a small slice of previous market discussions and volume, stablecoins are racing ahead for several important reasons. — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Nationally, these large investors only own about 3% of the single-family rental market, although private equity owns a much larger slice of the real estate in some cities and neighborhoods. — Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 10 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing slice

• any way you slice it
• a piece/slice/share of the pie
• a slice of life
• a slice of the cake
• fish slice
• no matter how you slice it
• pre-slice
• slice and dice
• slice off
• slice-of-life

Rhymes for slice

• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice
• ice
• lice
• mice
• spice
• splice
• thrice
• trice
• twice

Kids Definition

slice

1 of 2 noun

ˈslīs 

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