slicker; slickest
slickly
adverb
slickness
noun
1
a
: something that is smooth or slippery
especially
: a smooth patch of water covered with a film of oil
b
: a film of oil
2
: an automobile tire made without a tread for maximum traction (as in drag racing)
3
: an implement for producing a smooth or slick surface
4
: a shrewd untrustworthy person
5
: a popular magazine printed on coated stock and intended to appeal to sophisticated readers
6
slang
: a military helicopter without armaments that is used to transport troops or light cargo
dated, informal
: in a smooth or clever manner
"I must say they did it slick enough. They were old hands at the business."—
Jack London
Jack LondonSynonyms
Examples of slick in a Sentence
Adjective
Be careful as you drive home—the roads are slick.
big corporations and their slick lawyers
The new kid had some slick moves on the basketball court.
The students did a slick job of promoting the concert.
The video game has slick graphics.
Verb
The rain slicked the roads.
slicking the bottom of their skis with wax
Recent Examples on the WebBill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2024
Those with slick, shiny complexions may be wary of introducing more moisture—understandably—but the best moisturizer for oily skin can prove not only vital for overall skin health, but may also reduce skin’s oil levels, as counterintuitive as that may seem.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2024
Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2024
Richie wore her hair in her signature slicked back bun with chunky hoop earrings and pointed-toe slingback heels.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2024
Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2024
Mayer is obviously a wicked guitar player, supple and slick, an ace as a mimic who also has his own panache.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 12 Apr. 2023
That’s right, as if the movie weren’t weird enough already, come to find that Quinto’s character has an inoperable brain tumor — which goes a long way toward lowering his inhibitions and explains all three of the borderline-inept montages in this otherwise slick-looking movie.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for slick 
Adjective
The Dodgers are their best team with slick Miguel Rojas at shortstop, resurgent Gavin Lux at second and Betts in right.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2024
Those with slick, shiny complexions may be wary of introducing more moisture—understandably—but the best moisturizer for oily skin can prove not only vital for overall skin health, but may also reduce skin’s oil levels, as counterintuitive as that may seem.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2024
Verb
The star's hair was slicked back into a sleek ponytail.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2024
Richie wore her hair in her signature slicked back bun with chunky hoop earrings and pointed-toe slingback heels.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2024
Noun
On Wednesday, bacteria levels in the Seine were deemed satisfactory, and despite rain overnight that left the streets slick, the women’s and men’s races were allowed to proceed.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2024
Mayer is obviously a wicked guitar player, supple and slick, an ace as a mimic who also has his own panache.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024
Adverb
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Inside, the Silverado ZR2 has a slick-looking dashboard that features a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel next to a massive 13.4-inch touchscreen.
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 12 Apr. 2023
That’s right, as if the movie weren’t weird enough already, come to find that Quinto’s character has an inoperable brain tumor — which goes a long way toward lowering his inhibitions and explains all three of the borderline-inept montages in this otherwise slick-looking movie.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for slick
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near slick
Cite this Entry
“Slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slick. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
slick
1 of 3 verb
: to make sleek or smooth
slick
2 of 3 adjective1
a
: having a smooth surface : slippery
a slick road
b
: having or showing skill and style but no depth
slick writing
2
a
: clever sense 3
especially
: tricky sense 1
b
: quick and neat in action : skillful
slickly
adverb
slickness
noun
slick
3 of 3 noun
: something that is smooth or slippery
especially
: a smooth patch of water covered with a film of oil
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