slippery
ˈslɪpəri
slipperierslipperiest
Definition Synonyms

Definition of slippery - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
surface qualitydifficult to hold or stand on because of being smooth or wet
  • The floor was slippery after the spill.
greasy slick
2.
character traitnot to be trusted, deceitful
  • He gave a slippery answer to a straightforward question.
deceitful evasive untrustworthy
3.
abstractelusive or hard to define
  • The concept of beauty is often slippery and subjective.
ambiguous elusive indefinable
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Expressions with slippery

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in danger of a negative outcome
The company is on a slippery slope after the recent scandal.
in a risky or unstable situation
Their plan is on slippery ground now.
elusive or cunning in behavior
The thief was slippery as an eel, evading capture.
person who is difficult to deal with or trust
Be careful with him; he's a slippery customer.
series of events leading to a bad result
Starting with a small lie can be a slippery slope.
slide for children to play on
The kids enjoyed the slippery dip at the park.

Origin of slippery

Old English, slipor (slippery)

Terms with slippery included in their meaning

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movement
moving as on a slippery surface
lose control
slide uncontrollably on a slippery surface
surface texture
very even and slippery like the surface of ice
greasyadj.
texture
having a slippery surface covered with grease
secretion
slippery body fluid protecting and lubricating inside surfaces
slickadj.
texture
smooth and slippery due to a liquid covering
animal secretion
slippery or viscous substance produced by animals
quality
state of being oily or slippery

Examples of slippery in a sentence

  • She struggled to walk on the slippery rocks by the river.
  • The politician's slippery behavior raised many questions.
  • Her slippery nature made it hard to trust her.
  • The meaning of freedom can be quite slippery.
  • His arguments were slippery, making it hard to pin down his exact stance.

View all translations of slippery

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:glissant, trompeur, ...
  2. German:rutschig, unzuverlässig, ...
  3. Italian:scivoloso, subdolo, ...
  4. Spanish:resbaladizo, poco fiable, ...
  5. Portuguese:escorregadio, falso, ...
  6. Chinese:滑的, 狡猾的, ...
  7. Japanese:滑りやすい, 信用できない, ...
  8. Arabic:زَلِق, مُراوِغ, ...
  9. Hebrew:חֲלַקְלַק, חַמְקַמַק, ...
  10. Russian:скользкий, ненадежный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:слизький, ненадійний, ...
  12. Hindi:फिसलन भरा, विश्वासघाती, ...

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