slice

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

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

slicer

3 of 3

noun (2)

slic·​er

ˈslīsə(r)

plural -s

1

: an implement designed for cutting: such as

a

: a piece of cutlery for slicing food by hand

roast slicer

fruit slicer

cheese slicer

b

: a mechanically operated device usually employing a revolving disk for slicing

food slicer

veneer slicer

slicer for sugar beets

c

: a lapidary's slitter

d

: clipper sense 2b

2

: a person using a cutting implement: such as

a

: one that cuts materials (such as butter, bread, fruit) by hand or by machine

b

: a worker who cuts slits in turpentine trees for the insertion of gutters

Synonyms of slice

Verb

• chop
• split

Noun (1)

• 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 (1)

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

As lasers sliced through smoke billowing from the stage, frontman Tyrone Lindqvist's silky falsetto floated over a sea of festivalgoers stretching far, far, far beyond the soundboard. —Bryan West, USA Today, 14 June 2026

De Los Santos’ changeup sliced toward the bottom left of the zone, and Jensen met it with a three-run double to right to put Kansas City ahead 7-5. —Latif Love june 14, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026

Noun

Security lines moved smoothly and fans would head toward the concession trucks, offering $11 slices and $7 water. —Miami Herald, 16 June 2026

One of London's most beloved slices of tranquillity and nature, Hampstead Heath spans nearly 800 acres and is the place to be during sunny weather and summer months. —Ruchira Sharma, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 June 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 (1) and Noun (2)

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 (1)

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