slip

verb \ ˈslip \

Tip: Synonym Guide

Definition of slip

slipped; slipping

intransitive verb

1 a : to move with a smooth sliding motion

b : to move quietly and cautiously : steal

c : elapse, pass

2 a (1) : to escape from memory or consciousness

(2) : to become uttered through inadvertence

b : to pass quickly or easily away : become lost

let an opportunity slip

3 : to fall into error or fault : lapse

4 a : to slide out of place or away from a support or one's grasp

b : to slide on or down a slippery surface

slip on the stairs

c : to flow smoothly

5 : to get speedily into or out of clothing

slipped into his coat

6 : to fall off from a standard or accustomed level by degrees : decline

7 : sideslip

transitive verb

1 : to cause to move easily and smoothly : slide

2 a : to get away from : elude, evade

slipped his pursuers

b : to free oneself from

the dog slipped its collar

c : to escape from (one's memory or notice)

their names slip my mind

3 : shed, cast

the snake slipped its skin

4 : to put on (a garment) quickly —usually used with on

slip on a coat

5 a : to let loose from a restraining leash or grasp

b : to cause to slip open : release, undo

slip a lock

c : to let go of

d : to disengage from (an anchor) instead of hauling

6 a : to insert, place, or pass quietly or secretly

b : to give or pay on the sly

7 : slink, abort

8 : dislocate

slipped his shoulder

9 : to transfer (a stitch) from one needle to another without working a stitch

10 : to avoid (a punch) by moving the body or head quickly to one side

Origin and Etymology of slip

Middle English slippen, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German; akin to Middle High German slipfen to slide, Old High German slīfan to smooth, and perhaps to Greek olibros slippery

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

slip

noun

Definition of slip

1 a : a sloping ramp extending out into the water to serve as a place for landing or repairing ships

b : a ship's or boat's berth between two piers

2 : the act or an instance of departing secretly or hurriedly

gave his pursuer the slip

3 a : a mistake in judgment, policy, or procedure

b : an unintentional and trivial mistake or fault : lapse

a slip of the tongue

4 : a leash so made that it can be quickly slipped

5 a : the act or an instance of slipping down or out of a place

a slip on the ice

; also : a sudden mishap

b : a movement dislocating parts (as of a rock or soil mass); also : the result of such movement

c : a fall from some level or standard : decline

a slip in stock prices

6 a : an undergarment made in dress length and usually having shoulder straps; also : half-slip

b : a case into which something is slipped; specifically : pillowcase

7 : a disposition or tendency to slip easily

8 : the action of sideslipping : an instance of sideslipping

First Known Use of slip

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Synonym Discussion of slip

error, mistake, blunder, slip, lapse mean a departure from what is true, right, or proper. error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

- procedural errors

mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

- dialed the wrong number by mistake

blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

- diplomatic blunders

slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

- a slip of the tongue

lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

- a lapse in judgment

slip

noun

Definition of slip

1 a : a small shoot or twig cut for planting or grafting : scion

b : descendant, offspring

2 a : a long narrow strip of material

b : a small piece of paper

3 : a young and slender person

a slip of a girl

4 : a long seat or narrow pew

Origin and Etymology of slip

Middle English slippe, probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German, split, slit, flap

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

slip

verb

Definition of slip

slipped; slipping

transitive verb

: to take cuttings from (a plant) : divide into slips

slip a geranium

First Known Use of slip

1530

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

slip

noun

Definition of slip

: a mixture of finely divided clay and water used especially by potters (as for casting or decorating wares or in cementing separately formed parts)

Origin and Etymology of slip

Middle English slyp slime, from Old English slypa slime, paste; akin to Old English slūpan to slip — more at sleeve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1640

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

SLIP Defined for Kids

slip

verb \ ˈslip \

Definition of slip for Students

slipped; slipping

1 : to move easily and smoothly

He slipped the ring on his finger.

2 : to slide into or out of place or away from a support

Try to slip the bolt and open the door.

The book slipped out of my hand.

3 : to slide on a slippery surface so as to lose balance

I slipped on the wet floor.

4 : to pass or let pass or escape without being noted, used, or done

Time slipped by.

5 : to move into or out of a place without being noticed

She slipped from the room.

6 : to escape the attention or memory of

It just slipped my mind.

7 : to put on or take off a piece of clothing quickly and easily

The child slipped out of his coat.

8 : to make or become known by mistake

“Who's Shiloh?” she asks, and David realizes he's let it slip.
—Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Shiloh

9 : to go from one state or condition to an often worse one

Your grades are slipping.

10 : to get away from

One of the robbers slipped the police.

— slip up

: to make a mistake

slip

noun

Definition of slip for Students

1 : the act or an instance of sliding down or out of place

a slip on the ice

2 : a secret or quick departure or escape

Their prisoner gave them the slip.

3 : a small mistake : blunder

4 : a fall from some level or standard : decline

a slip in stock prices

5 : a place for a ship between two piers

6 : an undergarment for women made in dress or skirt length

slip

noun

Definition of slip for Students

1 : a usually small piece of paper and especially one used for some record

a permission slip

2 : a long narrow piece of material

Learn More about slip

See words that rhyme with slip Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slip Spanish Central: Translation of slip Nglish: Translation of slip for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slip for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slip

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slip

Definition of slip

Origin and Etymology of slip

slip

Definition of slip

First Known Use of slip

Synonym Discussion of slip

slip

Definition of slip

Origin and Etymology of slip

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

slip

Definition of slip

First Known Use of slip

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

slip

Definition of slip

Origin and Etymology of slip

Other Handicraft Terms

SLIP Defined for Kids

slip

Definition of slip for Students

slip

Definition of slip for Students

slip

Definition of slip for Students

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