English Reference
noun · verb

slice

n. · v.
US /ˈsɫaɪs/ UK /slˈaɪs/ slice UK spelling slices

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    n.a thin, flat piece of food cut from a larger portion.

    n.a thin, broad piece of food or material cut from a larger mass.

    Simple

    He cut a thick slice of bread and spread some butter on it.

    In context

    The chef served a delicate slice of smoked salmon accompanied by a garnish of fresh dill and capers.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    n.a part or share of something larger, like a budget or a market.

    n.a metaphorical portion or share of a finite resource.

    Simple

    The small company managed to grab a slice of the global market.

    In context

    The local council requested a larger slice of the federal budget to fund the new infrastructure project.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    n.a single image of an organ taken by a medical scanner.

    n.a cross-sectional image of an internal organ or structure produced by MRI or CT scanning.

    Simple

    The doctor looked at every slice of the brain scan to find the problem.

    In context

    The radiologist examined each individual slice of the CT scan to identify any subtle abnormalities in the patient's lung tissue.

    cross sectionscan
  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    n.a hit in sports like golf that makes the ball curve to one side.

    n.a stroke that causes the ball to curve away from the player's midline due to lateral spin.

    Simple

    His golf shot had a bad slice and landed in the tall grass.

    In context

    The tennis player used a backhand slice to keep the ball low and force her opponent into a difficult return.

  5. 05 B1 Intermediate

    v.to cut something into thin, flat pieces.

    v.to divide a solid object into thin, broad portions using a knife or blade.

    Simple

    Could you slice the tomatoes for the salad while I cook the meat?

    In context

    The machine is designed to slice the ham with extreme precision, ensuring every piece is exactly two millimetres thick.

  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    v.to move through something quickly and easily, like a boat through water.

    v.to move through a medium with a sharp, clean motion.

    Simple

    The sharp bow of the boat sliced through the calm water.

    In context

    The cold wind sliced through his thin jacket, making him regret leaving his coat at home.


From Middle English sclise, sklise, from Old French esclice, esclis (“a piece split off”), deverbal of esclicer, esclicier (“to splinter, split up”), from Frankish slitjan (“to split up”), from Proto-Germanic slitjaną, from Proto-Germanic slītaną (“to split, tear apart”), from Proto-Indo-European sleyd- (“to rend, injure, crumble”). Akin to Old High German sliz, gisliz (“a tear, rip”), Old High German slīȥan (“to tear”), Old English slītan (“to split up”), modern French éclisse. More at slite, slit.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *sleyd-
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated