slick
slick
Definition
slick (slik)
transitive verb
- to make sleek, glossy, or smooth
- Informal to make smart, neat, or tidy: usually with up
Etymology: ME slikien < OE slician, to make smooth, akin to ON slikr, smooth < IE *(s)leig-, slimy, to smooth, glide < base *(s)lei-: see slide
adjective
- sleek; glossy; smooth
- slippery; oily, as a surface
- accomplished; adept; clever; ingenious
- Informal clever in deception or trickery; deceptively plausible; smooth a slick alibi
- Informal having or showing skill in composition or technique but little depth or literary significance a slick style of writing
- Slang excellent, fine, enjoyable, attractive, etc.
Etymology: ME slike < the v.
noun
- ☆
- a smooth area on the surface of water, as resulting from a layer of oil
- an oily layer on the surface of water
- a slippery, oily area on the surface of a road
- something used for smoothing and polishing, as any of various tools with broad, flat blades
- ☆ Informal a magazine printed on paper with a glossy finish
adverb
smoothly, cleverly, deftly, easily, etc.
slick′ly adverb
slick′·ness noun
slick
Synonyms
slick
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- cause: The victors also had to pay for the clearing of vast oil slicks caused by the conflict.
- have: So here we have the slick but unmoving Peter Howell remake of the ' Dr. .
Adjective modifier
- big: David Weston was coming up on the inside having made a poor get away on his big slicks.
Modifies a noun
- passing: They hit the front for the first time 10 minutes later when slick passing allowed Richard Fletcher to finish from 20 meters.
- tire: The slick racing tires are often pumped up to high pressure too.
- gearbox: I tried making fast changes and got a slick, silent gearbox.
- thriller: The slick thriller got rave reviews and saw Clooney perfect his act for the first time.
- brush: Some people like to use a slicker brush which can be very useful on those dogs with thick coats.
- presentation: Director John Masson brought us a slick, likeable presentation of this classic play.
Used with adjective complement
- look: They're nothing special, but they look quite slick at times.
- become: But now they've become so slick that they can read and record your card details and PIN number remotely.
Noun used with modifier
- oil: An oil slick from a leaking MOD pipeline has caused a lot of mess on The Gosport side of Portsmouth harbor.
- semi: I have a mountain bike with semi slicks and usually do up to about 60 miles in a day or less if off-road.
Modifying Another Word
- incredibly: Even tho its over produced and incredibly slick its displays a lot of heart and there is support for all you dorky dancers too.
- pretty: Compared to some of his other efforts, it was pretty slick!
- very: Pros: Credit card access very slick, carpark well laid out easy to use.
- extremely: Francis executed an extremely slick rescue and I was back in my kayak by the time the next person came down swimming.
- too: Don't make them doubt this by talking in marketing speak or being too slick or packaged.
- quite: They're nothing special, but they look quite slick at times.
Preposition: of
- oil: The meat was presented as strips of tender lamb, the sauce was thick with a glossy slick of oil on top.
Browse dictionary entries near slick
- slice of life
- slice
- SLGS
- slew
- sleuth
- Slesvig
- slept
- slenderize
- slender
- sleight of hand
- slickenside
- slicker
- slidden
- slide
- slide fastener
- slide knot
- slide rule
- slide trombone
- slide valve
- slider
