Slippery Meaning
/ˈslɪpəɹi/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf 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.
adjEvasive; difficult to pin down.
Sentence Examples
The politician is as slippery as an eel!
Watch your step. The floor is slippery.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Because the janitor had just mopped it, the hallway floor was very ____ and dangerous to walk on.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The fish was so ____ that it almost jumped right out of the fisherman's wet hands.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The screeching of brakes, the monotonous blare of motor horns, the clip-clip of shoes on slippery pavements, the rustling of wet mackintoshes were all part of the great metropolis."
— 1936, F.J. Thwaites, chapter XXII, in The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards, published 1940, page 214:
"Which when they fall, as being slippery standers, / The love that leaned on them, as slippery too, / Do one pluck down another, and together / Die in the fall."
— c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii], line 84:
"He looking down
With scorn or pity on the slippery state
Of kings, will tread upon the neck of fate."
— 1641 (first performance), [John Denham], The Sophy. […], 2nd edition, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for H[enry] Herringman, […], published 1667, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
"My wife is slippery? If thou wilt confess –"
— c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], line 273:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Because the janitor had just mopped it, the hallway floor was very ____ and dangerous to walk on.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The fish was so ____ that it almost jumped right out of the fisherman's wet hands.