Definition of slick
transitive verb
: to make sleek or smooth
intransitive verb
: spruce —usually used with up
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Examples of slick in a Sentence
The rain slicked the roads.
slicking the bottom of their skis with wax
Origin and Etymology of slick
Middle English sliken, from Old English *slician; akin to Old High German slīhhan to glide
slick
Definition of slick
1a : having a smooth surface : slippery slick wet leavesb : having surface plausibility or appeal : glossy slick advertisingc : based on stereotype : trite slick stories soon forgotten
2 archaic : sleek 1
3a : characterized by subtlety or nimble wit : clever; especially : wily a slick swindlerb : deft, skillful a slick ballplayer
4 : extremely good : first-rate
slick
adverbslickly
adverbslickness
nounExamples of slick in a Sentence
Be careful as you drive home—the roads are slick.
big corporations and their slick lawyers
The new kid had some slick moves on the basketball court.
The students did a slick job of promoting the concert.
The video game has slick graphics.
Origin and Etymology of slick
Middle English slyke; akin to Old English *slician
Synonym Discussion of slick
sly, cunning, crafty, wily, tricky, foxy, artful, slick mean attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means. sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods. a sly corporate raider cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing. the cunning fox avoided the trap crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method. a crafty lefthander wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering. the wily fugitive escaped the posse tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering. a tricky political operative foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing. a foxy publicity man planting stories artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness. elicited the information by artful questioning slick emphasizes smoothness and guile. slick operators selling time-sharing
slick
Definition of slick
1a : something that is smooth or slippery; especially : a smooth patch of water covered with a film of oilb : a film of oil
2 : an implement for producing a smooth or slick surface
3 : a shrewd untrustworthy person
4 : a popular magazine printed on coated stock and intended to appeal to sophisticated readers
5 : an automobile tire made without a tread for maximum traction (as in drag racing)
6 slang : a military helicopter without armaments that is used to transport troops or light cargo
First Known Use of slick
1849
SLICK Defined for English Language Learners
slick
playDefinition of slick for English Language Learners
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: to make (something) smooth and slippery
slick
Definition of slick for English Language Learners
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: very smooth and slippery
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: clever in usually a dishonest or deceptive way
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: skillful and clever
slick
Definition of slick for English Language Learners
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: a thin layer of liquid that makes a surface very slippery
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: a smooth tire that is used in car racing
SLICK Defined for Kids
Definition of slick for Students
slicked
;slicking
: to make sleek or smooth He slicked his hair.
Learn More about slick
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See words that rhyme with slick Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slick Spanish Central: Translation of slick Nglish: Translation of slick for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slick for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slick
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