slicker

noun

slick·​er ˈsli-kər How to pronounce slicker (audio)
1
2
[slick to defraud cleverly]
a(1)
: a clever crook : swindler
(2)
b
: a city dweller especially of stylish and well-groomed appearance or sophisticated mannerisms

Example Sentences

he put on his slicker and boots and headed out into the rain dressed in their designer duds, the out-of-state slickers stood out amongst the locals at the harvest supper
Recent Examples on the Web Nation/World The city slickers fed up with rising egg prices have had questions for Samuel Dodds. Petula Dvorak, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Mar. 2023 The city slickers fed up with rising egg prices have had questions for Samuel Dodds. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2023 The bathtub ring may be the emergency’s most visible manifestation—the drought equivalent of Don Lemon in a rain slicker, weathering gale-force winds in a megastorm. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2022 This fluid sends essential nutrients to the cartilage in a joint space, creating a slicker surface for joints. Dallas News, 4 Oct. 2022 This is a slicker, repackaged version of an earlier Blue River dog food sketch with Seth Rogen. Alexis Pereira, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2022 But if that’s the case, why not fit slicker tires which will offer a real boost in climbing speed as a bonus? Seb Stott, Outside Online, 16 Nov. 2022 Live entertainment has been king in these parts since the 1960s, geared to a heartland audience, a customer base with which a city-slicker theater critic rarely interacts. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2022 Since it's been a bit rainy in SoCal, Markle opted for a dark blue slicker over a gray knit sweater and a baseball cap bearing her company's logo. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2022 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of slicker was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near slicker

Cite this Entry

“Slicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slicker. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

slicker

noun
slick·​er ˈslik-ər How to pronounce slicker (audio)
1
: a long loose raincoat often of rubberized cloth or plastic
2
: a sly clever crook

More from Merriam-Webster on slicker

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