slippery — having a slippery surface, c.1500, from M.E. sliper (adj.), from O.E. slipor slippery (see SLIP (Cf. slip) (v.)) + Y (Cf. y) (2). Metaphoric sense of deceitful is first recorded 1550s. Related: Slipperiness. In a figurative sense, slippery slope… … Etymology dictionary
slippery — [slip′ər ē, slip′rē] adj. slipperier, slipperiest [altered < ME sliper, slippery < OE slipor, akin to MHG slupferic: for IE base see SLIP1] 1. causing or liable to cause sliding or slipping, as a wet, waxed, or greasy surface 2. tending to… … English World dictionary
slippery — [adj1] smooth, slick glacé, glassy, glazed, glistening, greasy, icy, like a skating rink*, lubricious, lustrous, perilous, polished, satiny, silky, sleek, slimy, soapy, unctuous, unsafe, unstable, unsteady, waxy, wet; concept 606 Ant. dry,… … New thesaurus
slippery — index deceptive, elusive, evasive, insecure, machiavellian, perfidious, precarious, sly, undependable … Law dictionary
slippery — ► ADJECTIVE 1) difficult to hold firmly or stand on through being smooth, wet, or slimy. 2) (of a person) evasive and unpredictable. 3) (of a word or concept) changing in meaning according to context or point of view. DERIVATIVES slipperiness… … English terms dictionary
slippery — adj. VERBS ▪ be, feel, look ▪ become, get ▪ The concrete gets slippery when it s wet. ▪ make sth … Collocations dictionary
slippery — slip|per|y [ˈslıpəri] adj [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: slipper slippery (11 19 centuries), from Old English slipor] 1.) something that is slippery is difficult to hold, walk on etc because it is wet or ↑greasy ▪ In places, the path can be wet and… … Dictionary of contemporary English
slippery — [[t]slɪ̱pəri[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED Something that is slippery is smooth, wet, or oily and is therefore difficult to walk on or to hold. The tiled floor was wet and slippery... Motorists were warned to beware of slippery conditions. 2) ADJ GRADED… … English dictionary
slippery — adjective 1 something that is slippery is difficult to hold, walk on etc because it is wet or greasy: Be careful! The floor s very slippery. 2 informal someone who is slippery cannot be trusted and usually manages to avoid being punished:… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
slippery — UK [ˈslɪpərɪ] / US [ˈslɪp(ə)rɪ] adjective Word forms slippery : adjective slippery comparative slipperier superlative slipperiest 1) a slippery surface, object etc is difficult to move on or to hold because it is smooth, wet, or covered in… … English dictionary
