slippery
Americanadjective
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tending or liable to cause slipping slip or sliding, as ice, oil, a wet surface, etc..
a slippery road.
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tending to slip from the hold or grasp or from position.
a slippery rope.
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likely to slip away or escape.
slippery prospects.
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not to be depended on; fickle; shifty, tricky, or deceitful.
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unstable or insecure, as conditions.
a slippery situation.
adjective
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causing or tending to cause objects to slip
a slippery road
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liable to slip from the grasp, a position, etc
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not to be relied upon; cunning and untrustworthy
a slippery character
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(esp of a situation) liable to change; unstable
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a course of action that will lead to disaster or failure
Other Word Forms
- nonslippery adjective
- slipperily adverb
- slipperiness noun
- unslippery adjective
Etymology
Origin of slippery
1525–35; alteration of slipper 2; compare Low German slipperig; -y 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As he reached the frozen shore, he lunged forward headfirst, his belly making slippery contact with the flat, smooth ice.
From Literature
The skull also reveals tightly interlocking upper and lower teeth that formed an effective trap for slippery prey.
From Science Daily
This slippery coating is essential for keeping the colon lubricated and stool soft.
From Science Daily
By turning such propositions into paintings, he converts slippery digital imagery into something lasting and tangible.
From Los Angeles Times
Rowan heaved with all his might, but Marlie was heavy, and her ankles were slippery with mud.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
