English Reference

Word

slick

US/ˈsɫɪk/

UK/slˈɪk/

Definitions

01slippery

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.

“The roads were slick with rain after the first storm of the season.”

“The pavement became incredibly slick as the light drizzle mixed with oil deposits from the heavy morning traffic.”

Antonyms

02professional and stylish

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.

“The company released a slick new advertisement during the game.”

“The presentation was incredibly slick, featuring seamless transitions and high-definition graphics that clearly impressed the investors.”

Antonyms

03untrustworthy

C1 · Advanced Informal

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.

“Don't be fooled by that slick salesman and his empty promises.”

“He had a slick manner that made many people instinctively distrust his motives, despite his apparent charm.”

Synonyms

glibsmooth-talkingdeceptive

Antonyms

04a layer of liquid

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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.

“The coast guard worked quickly to clean up the oil slick near the beach.”

“An enormous oil slick spread across the bay following the tanker's collision, threatening local wildlife habitats.”

Synonyms

05racing tire

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sports Technical

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.

“The driver changed to slicks because the track had finally dried out.”

“As the racing line dried, the lead driver opted for a set of slicks to gain a competitive advantage in the final laps.”

06to make smooth

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.

“He slicked his hair back with some gel before the wedding.”

“The stylist slicked the model's hair into a tight bun to emphasize her facial features for the photoshoot.”

Antonyms

roughen

Real-World Examples

“Top goalscorer Christiansen finished off a slick move to give Viking a 2-0 lead.”
Al Jazeera 13 Oct 2026
“When you see it in photographs, it looks super slick and machine-made.”
The Guardian 11 Oct 2026

Etymology

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.

Idioms

Domains

MilitaryPrintingSports

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/slick

English Reference