sleek

1 of 2

verb

sleeked; sleeking; sleeks

transitive verb

1
: slick
grooms sleeking cooled horsesSunset
2
: to cover up : gloss over

sleek

2 of 2

adjective

1
a
: smooth and glossy as if polished
sleek dark hair
b
: having a smooth well-groomed look
sleek cattle
c
: healthy-looking
2
: smooth in speech or manner
also : unctuous
3
a
: having a prosperous air
sleek luxury condominiums
b
: having trim graceful lines
a sleek car
c
: elegant, stylish
a sleek wardrobe
sleekly adverb
sleekness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for sleek

sleek, slick, glossy mean having a smooth bright surface or appearance.

sleek suggests a smoothness or brightness resulting from attentive grooming or physical conditioning.

a sleek racehorse

slick suggests extreme smoothness that results in a slippery surface.

slipped and fell on the slick floor

glossy suggests a highly reflective surface.

photographs having a glossy finish

Examples of sleek in a Sentence

Adjective the sleek lines of a sports car a striking beauty with sleek raven hair
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Each showed off their unique flair from sleek quiet luxury to abs-baring fashion to sleek menswear respectively. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 Other crucial It items in the mix include crisp shirting, perfect for layering underneath lightweight knitwear, to sleek pairs of tailored trousers. Laura Jackson, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2024 From office-ready quarter-zips and sleek turtlenecks to luxurious cashmere cardigans, few wardrobe pieces are as indispensable as a great sweater. Jeremy Freed, wsj.com, 10 Nov. 2023 From styles meant for hardcore outdoor use like these Merrell hiking boots to comfier classic Ugg mini boots to sleek Sorel snow boots, there are so many options highly discounted right now. Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2023 The town has a diverse mix of homes that run the gamut from Victorian to sleek new constructions. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2023 Read on for their favorite styles, from cozy cashmere picks made for movie nights on the couch to sleek leather joggers to wear out on the town. Karen I. Chen, wsj.com, 15 Sep. 2023 After three consecutive quarters of declining iPhone sales, Apple is betting that new improvements to existing iPhone features, from cameras and chips to sleek new titanium material, will entice consumers to upgrade. Byrachyl Jones, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023 Accordingly, the makeup and hair looks were an ode to sleek beauty with a side of grit. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Kearny negotiated lease terminations with its tenants and set about to knock down the building that dates to 1982 and replace it with Harbor Logistics Center, a far less sleek 163,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution complex designed by SKH Architect set to be complete by the end of the year. Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Woolley lifted a protective sheet; underneath was a sleek black Corvette Stingray that once belonged to Slash. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Several years of living in a sleek if nondescript penthouse in the heart of Bologna, Italy, left architect Laura Gasparini and her family desiring a home with more room and character. Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2024 Keep an eye out for pieces with sleek lines, geometric shapes, and minimal adornment. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2024 Her sleek black pointed-toe heels, designed by Louboutin, completed her chic outfit perfectly. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024 To round out the look, Stewart put on a pair of maroon pumps, with her hair styled in a sleek, wet bun. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 From the Design District's modern art galleries and sleek showrooms to the Main Street District's swanky cocktail bars and designer shopping, there's a new adventure waiting around every corner in Dallas. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 Try putting together a few antique, ornate furniture pieces with contrasting sleek, modern lines. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sleken, alteration of sliken — more at slick entry 2

Adjective

alteration of slick entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleek was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sleek

Cite this Entry

“Sleek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleek. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sleek

1 of 2 verb
: to make or become sleek

sleek

2 of 2 adjective
1
a
: smooth and glossy as if polished
sleek dark hair
b
: having a smooth healthy well-groomed look
sleek cattle grazing
2
: having a prosperous look or manner
sleekly adverb
sleekness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sleek

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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