English Explanatory Dictionary

slippery

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Of a surface, having low friction, often due to being covered in a non-viscous liquid, and therefore hard to grip, hard to stand on without falling, etc.
  2. Evasive; difficult to pin down.
  3. Liable to slip; not standing firm.
  4. Unstable; changeable; inconstant.
  5. Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals.

Pronunciation

/ˈslɪpəɹi/ /ˈslɪpɹi/ En-us-slippery.ogg

Word forms

slippery slipperier more slippery slipperiest most slippery

Etymology

From Middle English slipperie, an extended form ( + -y) of Middle English slipper, sliper (“slippery”), from Old English slipor (“slippery”), from Proto-Germanic *slipraz (“smooth, slippery”), equivalent to slip + -er. Compare also Middle English slibbri, slubbri (“slippery”) borrowed from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German slibberich (“slippery”). Cognate with German schlüpfrig (“slippery”), Danish slibrig (“slippery”), Swedish slipprig (“slippery”).

Synonyms

glibbery glidder gliddery lubric lubricious lubricous slabbery slape slidder sliddery slidey slidy slippery slippery as an eel greasy slick slimy slippy wet slithery

Antonyms

sticky adhesive nonslippery nonslip

Related words

slip

Derived words

nonslippery slipperily slipperiness slippery as an eel slippery dick slippery dip slippery elm slippery jack slippery nipple Slippery Sam slippery sequence slippery slide slippery slope sloppery unslippery
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