First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1slick
verb \ˈslik\
: to make (something) smooth and slippery
Full Definition of SLICK
transitive verb
: to make sleek or smooth
intransitive verb
: spruce —usually used with up
See slick defined for English-language learners
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Origin of SLICK
Middle English sliken, from Old English *slician; akin to Old High German slīhhan to glide
2slick
adjective
: very smooth and slippery
: clever in usually a dishonest or deceptive way
: skillful and clever
Full Definition of SLICK
1
2
archaic : sleek 1
3
See slick defined for English-language learners
Origin of SLICK
Middle English slyke; akin to Old English *slician
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to SLICK
Synonym Discussion of SLICK
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>.
sly, cunning, crafty, wily, tricky, foxy, artful, slick mean attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means. sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods <a sly corporate raider>. cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing <the cunning fox avoided the trap>. crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method <a crafty lefthander>. wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering <the wily fugitive escaped the posse>. tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering <a tricky political operative>. foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing <a foxy publicity man planting stories>. artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness <elicited the information by artful questioning>. slick emphasizes smoothness and guile <slick operators selling time-sharing>.
sly, cunning, crafty, wily, tricky, foxy, artful, slick mean attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means. sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods <a sly corporate raider>. cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing <the cunning fox avoided the trap>. crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method <a crafty lefthander>. wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering <the wily fugitive escaped the posse>. tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering <a tricky political operative>. foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing <a foxy publicity man planting stories>. artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness <elicited the information by artful questioning>. slick emphasizes smoothness and guile <slick operators selling time-sharing>.
3slick
noun
: a thin layer of liquid that makes a surface very slippery
: a smooth tire that is used in car racing
Full Definition of SLICK
1
a : something that is smooth or slippery; especially : a smooth patch of water covered with a film of oil b : a film of oil
2
: an implement for producing a smooth or slick surface
3
: a shrewd untrustworthy person
4
: a popular magazine printed on coated stock and intended to appeal to sophisticated readers
5
: an automobile tire made without a tread for maximum traction (as in drag racing)
6
slang : a military helicopter without armaments that is used to transport troops or light cargo
See slick defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SLICK
1849
SLICKNESS Defined for Kids
1slick
verb \ˈslik\
slickedslick·ing
Definition of SLICK for Kids
: to make sleek or smooth <He slicked his hair.>
2slick
adjective
Definition of SLICK for Kids
1
: having a smooth surface : slippery <slick pavement>
2
: tricky 2 <a slick salesman>
3
: having skill and cleverness <She made some slick moves during the game.>
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