slick back/down

phrasal verb

slicked back/down; slicking back/down; slicks back/down
: to pull (hair) back and make it look smooth or shiny by using water or some wet substance (such as hair gel)
He climbed out of the pool and slicked back his hair.
He had long sideburns and dark slicked-back hair.

Examples of slick back/down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The best hair gels can perfectly slick back a bun, lay stubborn flyaways to rest, or coax your curls into a uniform spiral, but the wrong ones will lead to mid-afternoon hair lined with flakes, frizz, and even damage. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 26 June 2025 Most recently Gomez has been the queen of the slick back bun. Rachel Flynn, People.com, 23 June 2025 The actress paired the dress with a diamond bracelet and a pair of diamond earrings, choosing to style her hair in a slick back bun. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025 Rodman's look was completed by accessorizing with a layered gold necklace, bracelets, and wearing her hair in a slick back bun. Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slick back/down

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slick back/down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slick%20back%2Fdown. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!