sliver

noun

sliv·er | \ ˈsli-vər

, sense 2 is usually ˈslī-\

Definition of sliver

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a long slender piece cut or torn off : splinter

b : a small and narrow portion a sliver of land

c : particle, scrap not a sliver of evidence

2 : an untwisted strand or rope of textile fiber produced by a carding or combing machine and ready for drawing, roving, or spinning

sliver

verb

sliv·er | \ ˈsli-vər

slivered; slivering\ ˈsli-və-riŋ

, ˈsliv-riŋ \

Definition of sliver (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to cut into slivers : splinter

intransitive verb

: to become split into slivers

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sliver

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Synonyms for sliver

Synonyms: Noun

chip, flake, spall, splint, splinter

Synonyms: Verb

slice, splinter

Examples of sliver in a Sentence

Noun

I got a sliver of wood stuck in my finger.

Verb

carefully slivered the rattan stems into strips for basketry

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Cooperative housing, advocates say, is a sliver of Boulder’s affordable housing pie, as well as a tool to battle the growing epidemic of social isolation. — Cassa Niedringhaus, The Denver Post, "Once-controversial, Boulder housing co-ops proving worth in affordability, community," 16 June 2019 Huawei has suggested that its stockpiling of components and proprietary technology will mitigate the effect of US sanctions, and the laptop division only represent a tiny sliver of the company’s business. — Sam Byford, The Verge, "Huawei reportedly postpones planned laptop launch," 12 June 2019 Their viewpoint is that sports betting is already a low-margin business, and revenue specifically from live betting — the only version for which near-real-time, official data is truly useful — is a tiny sliver of the national market. — Regina Garcia Cano, chicagotribune.com, "NBA, MLB using data to chase better deals with sportsbooks," 8 June 2019 Their viewpoint is that sports betting is already a low-margin business, and revenue specifically from live betting — the only version for which near-real-time, official data is truly useful — is a tiny sliver of the national market. — Washington Post, "NBA, MLB using data to chase better deals with sportsbooks," 8 June 2019 On this sliver of good news, investors sent the stock up 20% in after-hours trading. — Elizabeth Winkler, WSJ, "No Jumping on the Bed, Bath & Beyond," 9 Jan. 2019 Yet Tencent Music is making money from only a sliver of those users. — Crystal Tse, The Seattle Times, "Chinese streaming-music giant files for $1 billion U.S. IPO," 2 Oct. 2018 No one knows exactly how many Islamic State fighters are still holding out in the sliver of territory under attack, although they are estimated to be in the hundreds, most of them foreign fighters. — Zeina Karam, The Seattle Times, "Fierce battles near final IS foothold in eastern Syria," 12 Feb. 2019 Afterward, a sliver of in-the-know attendees headed to an adjacent luxury high-rise, inside 15 Hudson Yards, for an inevitable after-party. — Zachary Weiss, Vogue, "13,000 Guests Attended the Opening of Hudson Yards—Anne Hathaway and Gisele Included," 15 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

To get this striped look, place two horizontal strips of tape over your nail, leaving just a slivered gap between them, then paint the gap with a pale shade. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "10 Easy and Fun Nail Designs to Copy This Summer," 7 May 2019 To get this striped look, place two horizontal strips of tape over your nail, leaving just a slivered gap between them, then paint the gap with a pale shade. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "10 Easy and Fun Nail Designs to Copy This Summer," 7 May 2019 Grand McExtreme Bacon Burger comes as a single or double quarter-pound beef patty topped with McBacon sauce, Applewood smoked bacon, Gouda cheese and slivered onions on a sesame seed bun. — Doreen Christensen, sun-sentinel.com, "McDonald’s will accept foreign currency for a new Worldwide Favorites Menu item on Thursday," 4 June 2019 To get this striped look, place two horizontal strips of tape over your nail, leaving just a slivered gap between them, then paint the gap with a pale shade. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "10 Easy and Fun Nail Designs to Copy This Summer," 7 May 2019 To get this striped look, place two horizontal strips of tape over your nail, leaving just a slivered gap between them, then paint the gap with a pale shade. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "10 Easy and Fun Nail Designs to Copy This Summer," 7 May 2019 To get this striped look, place two horizontal strips of tape over your nail, leaving just a slivered gap between them, then paint the gap with a pale shade. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "10 Easy and Fun Nail Designs to Copy This Summer," 7 May 2019 To get this striped look, place two horizontal strips of tape over your nail, leaving just a slivered gap between them, then paint the gap with a pale shade. — Chloe Metzger, Marie Claire, "7 Ridiculously Cool Nail Designs to Copy this Summer," 5 June 2018 The protein pancakes mix traditional batter with blueberries, granola, slivered almonds and cinnamon. — Andy Staples, SI.com, "How 'Scheduling for Success' Can Help the Pac-12 Keep Pace in the Playoff Era," 7 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sliver.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.