# slime

/ˈsɫaɪm/ (US) · /slˈaɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slime
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. slippery substance

noun · CEFR B2

a thick, slippery, and often sticky liquid, like the trail left by a snail.

For teachers: a viscous, mucilaginous, or glutinous substance, typically moist and adhesive in texture.

- The children spent the afternoon playing with a bucket of green, stretchy slime.
- The biologist noted the thick layer of protective slime covering the amphibian's skin, which serves as a barrier against pathogens and dehydration.

### 2. an unethical person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who is dishonest, sneaky, or cannot be trusted.

For teachers: a derogatory term for a person perceived as unethical, contemptible, or untrustworthy.

- I can't believe he lied to us; he is such a total slime.
- The tabloid journalist was described as a slime by his peers after he was caught hacking into private phone records for a headline.

### 3. a close friend

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · American English

a very close friend or someone you trust completely.

For teachers: a term of endearment for a close associate or friend, originating in hip-hop culture.

- That's my slime right there; we've known each other since we were kids.
- The rapper frequently referred to his childhood associates as his slimes in various interviews, highlighting their long-standing loyalty.

### 4. to cover with goo

verb · CEFR B2

to cover something in a thick, slippery liquid.

For teachers: to coat, smear, or cover a surface with a viscous or mucilaginous substance.

- The prankster managed to slime the entire hallway before the teachers arrived.
- During the awards show, it became a tradition to slime the winning celebrities with a gallon of neon-coloured liquid.

### 5. to murder

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar

to kill or murder someone.

For teachers: to commit homicide; a violent slang term often associated with gang culture.

- The lyrics of the song were criticized for talking about sliming rivals.
- The detective noted that the term was used in the intercepted messages as a coded way to discuss a plan to slime a witness.

## Examples

- The snail left a trail of silver slime on the leaf.
- After the flood, the basement walls were covered in a thin layer of green slime and mud.
- The biologist carefully collected a sample of the bioluminescent slime from the cave floor, noting its unusual viscosity and pungent, earthy odor.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.