slick
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.smooth and slippery, usually because of water, oil, or ice.
adj.having a smooth, slippery surface, typically due to a coating of liquid or ice.
Simple“The roads were slick with rain after the first storm of the season.”
In context“The pavement became incredibly slick as the light drizzle mixed with oil deposits from the heavy morning traffic.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.done in a very clever and professional way that looks expensive.
adj.executed with a high degree of professional skill and polish, often implying a sophisticated appearance.
Simple“The company released a slick new advertisement during the game.”
In context“The presentation was incredibly slick, featuring seamless transitions and high-definition graphics that clearly impressed the investors.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
adj.clever and persuasive but in a way that feels dishonest.
adj.persuasive and clever in a way that suggests a lack of sincerity or honesty.
Simple“Don't be fooled by that slick salesman and his empty promises.”
In context“He had a slick manner that made many people instinctively distrust his motives, despite his apparent charm.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a thin layer of liquid, like oil, floating on the surface of water.
n.a thin, smooth layer of liquid, especially oil, spread over a surface or floating on water.
Simple“The coast guard worked quickly to clean up the oil slick near the beach.”
In context“An enormous oil slick spread across the bay following the tanker's collision, threatening local wildlife habitats.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a smooth tire without any patterns, used for racing on dry tracks.
n.a smooth tire without a tread pattern, designed to provide maximum traction on dry racing surfaces.
Simple“The driver changed to slicks because the track had finally dried out.”
In context“As the racing line dried, the lead driver opted for a set of slicks to gain a competitive advantage in the final laps.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to make hair or a surface smooth and shiny, often using water or oil.
v.to make a surface or hair smooth and glossy, typically by applying a liquid or gel.
Simple“He slicked his hair back with some gel before the wedding.”
In context“The stylist slicked the model's hair into a tight bun to emphasize her facial features for the photoshoot.”
From Middle English slicke, slike, slyke, from Old English slīc (“sleek, smooth; crafty, cunning, slick”), from Proto-Germanic slīkaz (“sleek, smooth”), from Proto-Indo-European sleyg-, *sleyǵ- (“to glide, smooth, spread”). Akin to Dutch sluik, dialectal Dutch sleek (“even, smooth”), Old Norse slíkr (“sleek, smooth”), Old English slician (“to make sleek, smooth, or glossy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.