slick

verb

slicked; slicking; slicks

transitive verb

: to make sleek or smooth

intransitive verb

: spruce

—usually used with up

Synonyms of slick

• grease
• oil

Examples of slick in a Sentence

The rain slicked the roads.

slicking the bottom of their skis with wax

Recent Examples on the Web

Naturally, Sombr relished the moment by slicking back his hair and wiping his eyeliner to end the song with a flourish. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026

Amelia and Eliza slicked back their long blonde hair into coordinating ballerina buns, accessorizing with jeweled earrings from Sahag Arslanian. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 22 May 2026

Anika Reed Latin music superstar Maluma opted for a dapper Tom Ford suit with his hair slicked back into a bun, blowing USA TODAY a kiss before exiting the carpet. —Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum wore her hair slicked back in a low bun, dark black eyeliner to bring out her eyes, and a light pink lip. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sliken, from Old English *slician; akin to Old High German slīhhan to glide

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing slick

• oil slick
• slick back/down
• slick-ear

Rhymes for slick

• bick
• brick
• chick
• click
• fick
• flick
• hick
• kick
• knick
• lick
• mic
• nick

Kids Definition

slick

1 of 3 verb

ˈslik 

: to make sleek or smooth

slick

2 of 3 adjective

1

a

: having a smooth surface : slippery

a slick road

b

: having or showing skill and style but no depth

slick writing

2

a

: clever sense 3

especially : tricky sense 1

b

: quick and neat in action : skillful

slickly adverb

slickness noun

slick

3 of 3 noun

: something that is smooth or slippery

especially : a smooth patch of water covered with a film of oil