Slick
/slɪk/
adjectiveverbnounB2
Definition
Slick as an adjective describes something smooth and shiny, like a wet surface or polished object. It can also mean clever or skillful in a way that seems easy and sometimes a little too perfect or tricky. As a verb, it means to make something smooth or shiny by rubbing. As a noun, it can mean a smooth, oily patch on a surface.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Smooth and shiny surface, often slippery
- •The road was slick after the rain, so drivers had to be careful.
- •His hair looked slick because he used a lot of gel.
- •There was a slick of oil on the water that made it shiny and slippery.
Clever or skillful in a way that seems easy or impressive
- •She gave a slick presentation that impressed everyone.
- •The salesman was very slick, making the deal sound perfect.
- •His slick moves on the basketball court showed his experience.
(Verb) To make something smooth or shiny by rubbing
- •He slicked back his hair before going on stage.
- •She slicked the mud off her boots after the hike.
(Noun) A smooth, oily patch on a surface
- •The oil slick on the ocean was dangerous for the fish.
- •After the spill, there was a slick on the floor that caused people to slip.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "slick" like "smooth" (A1 word), but more shiny and often with a feeling of skill or cleverness
- ✓Picture a wet rock that looks shiny and slippery, or a person who talks very smoothly and confidently
- ✓It's the feeling when someone does something very well and easily, like a well-practiced dance or a fast car moving without any problem
- ✓Sounds like "slick" → imagine sliding quickly on ice, smooth and fast without stopping
- ✓Think of a car commercial showing a fast, shiny car driving perfectly on wet roads—everything looks slick and smooth
- ✓NOT like "rough" (uneven or hard), slick is smooth and even, often with shine
- ✓NOT like "clumsy" (awkward), slick means skillful and smooth in action or appearance
- ✓NOT like "simple" (plain or easy), slick can sometimes mean cleverly done with style or trickiness
Try Other Words
- •Polished: very smooth and shiny (Use when focusing on surface shine or finish)
- •Slippery: hard to hold or walk on because of smoothness (Use when emphasizing danger or difficulty in holding/walking)
- •Skillful: showing ability and cleverness (Use when focusing on someone's ability or cleverness)
- •Greasy: covered with oil or fat (Use when the smoothness comes from oil or fat, usually unpleasant)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, root word "slick" is simple)
- •Etymology: From Old Norse "slíkkr," meaning smooth or slippery
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe smooth or slippery surfaces, later extended to describe clever or skillful behavior
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe surfaces that are shiny or slippery, and people or actions that are skillful or polished in appearance or manner
- •Interesting fact: "Slick" can have a positive meaning (skillful) or a slightly negative meaning (too smooth, possibly tricky or dishonest)
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be too slick? When does being slick become a problem instead of a good thing?
•How do you feel when someone is very slick in the way they talk or act? Does it always feel honest?
Fill in the blanks
1.After the rain, the road was slick and ___ drivers had to slow down to avoid accidents.
2.The actor's slick performance made the difficult scene look ___ and easy.
3.When he ___ his hair back, it looked shiny and neat for the whole day.
4.The oil spill created a slick on the water, making the surface ___ and dangerous for boats.
5.A slick person can sometimes seem too ___, making others feel unsure if they can trust them.
6.The floor was ___ with water, so people had to walk carefully to not slip and ___.
7.She gave a slick presentation, using ___ language and smooth gestures to keep the audience interested.