slick
1 of 4adjective
ˈslik 
slicker; slickest
1
a
: having a smooth surface : slippery
slick wet leaves
b
: having surface plausibility or appeal : glossy
slick advertising
c
: based on stereotype : trite
slick stories soon forgotten
2
a
: characterized by subtlety or nimble wit : clever
especially : wily
a slick swindler
b
: deft, skillful
a slick ballplayer
3
: extremely good : first-rate
4
archaic : sleek sense 1
slickly adverb
slickness noun
slick
2 of 4verb
slicked; slicking; slicks
transitive verb
: to make sleek or smooth
intransitive verb
: spruce —usually used with up
slick
3 of 4noun
1
a
: something that is smooth or slippery
especially : a smooth patch of water covered with a film of oil
b
: a film of oil
2
: an automobile tire made without a tread for maximum traction (as in drag racing)
3
: an implement for producing a smooth or slick surface
4
: a shrewd untrustworthy person
5
: a popular magazine printed on coated stock and intended to appeal to sophisticated readers
6
slang : a military helicopter without armaments that is used to transport troops or light cargo
slick
4 of 4adverb
dated, informal
: in a smooth or clever manner
"I must say they did it slick enough. They were old hands at the business."
Jack London
Jack London
Synonyms
Adjective
- greased
- greasy
- lubricated
- oiled
- slicked
- slippery
- slippy
- slithery
Verb
- grease
- lubricate
- oil
- wax
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective Be careful as you drive home—the roads are slick. big corporations and their slick lawyers The new kid had some slick moves on the basketball court. The students did a slick job of promoting the concert. The video game has slick graphics. Verb The rain slicked the roads. slicking the bottom of their skis with wax See More
Recent Examples on the Web Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 21 July 2022 The brooding alt-pop single, where the Australian upstart collaborates with Canadian up-and-comer Renforshort, sees the duo lamenting the difficulties of navigating a long-distance relationship to the beat of slick new pop track. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2021 Through rain and a slick track, Williams showed out in the 100 semifinals. oregonlive, 10 June 2021 Critics who disliked the movie gave low marks to the leads and to an overall too-slick feel pervading this adaptation of writer Mark Greaney’s spy novel series of the same name. Andy Meek, BGR, 27 July 2022 The stage thus set, TV’s first iteration of Sara Shepard’s novels was slick, if not exactly subtle. Caroline Framke, Variety, 26 July 2022 Horan moved it into a clean trap and then drove the mud-slick roads to where it had been caught. Elizabeth Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2022 In that movie, Damon pops up as a slick auto executive in the mid-1950s, nonchalantly informing the criminal antiheroes how little their actions will affect a moneyed, connected man like himself, as the actor seems to relish his haughtiness. Jesse Hassenger, The Week, 28 July 2021 Next was Joe Jimenez, who was equally efficient thanks to some slick defense. Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 11 Aug. 2022 Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 How much this causes the ice itself to slick and lurch forward remains under debate and might be happening at a finer scale than what the models capture. Chris Mooney, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 The actress uses Prose's new Styling Gel to slick back any flyaways and hold everything in place. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2022 The entire application process required three hair stylists and took approximately 30 minutes each time, with nearly half of that time being used to wet, slick back and tightly wrap Brown’s hair. Michaela Zee, Variety, 28 July 2022 After using your board, wash and dry it, then slick the surface with this stuff. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 13 July 2022 Brush off those grill grates to remove any stuck on bits, and use a paper towel, tongs, and a neutral oil to slick them up so your burgers don't stick. Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 21 June 2022 The terrain varied from rough limestone-shale fields to swampy singletrack to slick red sandstone. Patty Hodapp, Outside Online, 28 May 2022 The wig application took about 40 minutes, Ballard says, while Biel's hair was completely flattened with GafQuat, a strong hold pomade used to slick hair back. Ana Escalante, Glamour, 17 May 2022 Olga Massov, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 TikToker Maria Zarkova has the perfect, speedy French tip manicure hack, involving applying a slick of white polish to the end of your finger and pressing your nail into it. Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 27 Apr. 2022 At Miu Miu, makeup legend Pat McGrath further projected neon bright coral red pouts by adding a slick of clear gloss to vinyl–and light-catching!–effect. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2022 Drivers faced challenges as rain fell before and during the race, making the track slick and wet. oregonlive, 4 June 2022 After Shesterkin denied Arthur Kaliyev in the sixth round, Fox roofed a slick backhand that stuck in the net to win it. Houston Mitchell Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2022 As for the rest of her face, cheeks were kept soft with washes of nude pink and peach, while lips were enhanced with a slick of warm matte pink, usually L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2022 Balls used in Japan have a slightly tacky surface, so no need for mudding, nor for pitchers to use resin to kill the slick. Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 May 2022 In addition to some makeup essentials, such as filling in her brows, applying mascara, and a slick of lip gloss, Boru always tries to get henna done just before Eid. Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 1 May 2022 See More
Adjective
Shorter races on the slick track go for $15 for one, $28 for two and $40 for three. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 21 July 2022 The brooding alt-pop single, where the Australian upstart collaborates with Canadian up-and-comer Renforshort, sees the duo lamenting the difficulties of navigating a long-distance relationship to the beat of slick new pop track. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2021 Through rain and a slick track, Williams showed out in the 100 semifinals. oregonlive, 10 June 2021 Critics who disliked the movie gave low marks to the leads and to an overall too-slick feel pervading this adaptation of writer Mark Greaney’s spy novel series of the same name. Andy Meek, BGR, 27 July 2022 The stage thus set, TV’s first iteration of Sara Shepard’s novels was slick, if not exactly subtle. Caroline Framke, Variety, 26 July 2022 Horan moved it into a clean trap and then drove the mud-slick roads to where it had been caught. Elizabeth Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2022 In that movie, Damon pops up as a slick auto executive in the mid-1950s, nonchalantly informing the criminal antiheroes how little their actions will affect a moneyed, connected man like himself, as the actor seems to relish his haughtiness. Jesse Hassenger, The Week, 28 July 2021 Next was Joe Jimenez, who was equally efficient thanks to some slick defense. Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press, 11 Aug. 2022 Verb
For the right amount of unprotected draft picks, Danny Ainge would slick his hair back like Pat Riley and maybe even grow a goatee. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 How much this causes the ice itself to slick and lurch forward remains under debate and might be happening at a finer scale than what the models capture. Chris Mooney, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 The actress uses Prose's new Styling Gel to slick back any flyaways and hold everything in place. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2022 The entire application process required three hair stylists and took approximately 30 minutes each time, with nearly half of that time being used to wet, slick back and tightly wrap Brown’s hair. Michaela Zee, Variety, 28 July 2022 After using your board, wash and dry it, then slick the surface with this stuff. Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 13 July 2022 Brush off those grill grates to remove any stuck on bits, and use a paper towel, tongs, and a neutral oil to slick them up so your burgers don't stick. Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 21 June 2022 The terrain varied from rough limestone-shale fields to swampy singletrack to slick red sandstone. Patty Hodapp, Outside Online, 28 May 2022 The wig application took about 40 minutes, Ballard says, while Biel's hair was completely flattened with GafQuat, a strong hold pomade used to slick hair back. Ana Escalante, Glamour, 17 May 2022 Noun
Add a thin slick of oil, then the steak and sear until richly browned, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare; the meat should register 125 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Olga Massov, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 TikToker Maria Zarkova has the perfect, speedy French tip manicure hack, involving applying a slick of white polish to the end of your finger and pressing your nail into it. Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 27 Apr. 2022 At Miu Miu, makeup legend Pat McGrath further projected neon bright coral red pouts by adding a slick of clear gloss to vinyl–and light-catching!–effect. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2022 Drivers faced challenges as rain fell before and during the race, making the track slick and wet. oregonlive, 4 June 2022 After Shesterkin denied Arthur Kaliyev in the sixth round, Fox roofed a slick backhand that stuck in the net to win it. Houston Mitchell Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2022 As for the rest of her face, cheeks were kept soft with washes of nude pink and peach, while lips were enhanced with a slick of warm matte pink, usually L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2022 Balls used in Japan have a slightly tacky surface, so no need for mudding, nor for pitchers to use resin to kill the slick. Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 May 2022 In addition to some makeup essentials, such as filling in her brows, applying mascara, and a slick of lip gloss, Boru always tries to get henna done just before Eid. Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 1 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English slyke; akin to Old English *slician
Verb
Middle English sliken, from Old English *slician; akin to Old High German slīhhan to glide
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun
1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
1825, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing slick
Kids Definition
slick 1 of 2
verb
ˈslik
slicked; slicking
: to make sleek or smooth He slicked his hair.
slick
2 of 2adjective
1
: having a smooth surface : slippery
slick pavement
2
: tricky sense 2
a slick salesman
3
: having skill and cleverness
She made some slick moves during the game.
slick 1 of 3
verb
as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction slicking the bottom of their skis with wax Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- grease
- wet
- oil
- wax
- lubricate
- wash
- water
- soak
- drench
- bathe
- souse
- douse
- dowse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rough
- roughen
- dry
- coarsen
- sear
- dehydrate
- parch
slick
2 of 3adjective
1
as in slicked
having or being a surface so smooth as to greatly reduce traction roads are often slick during the first hour of a rainstorm Synonyms & Similar Words
- slicked
- slippery
- greasy
- lubricated
- greased
- slithery
- slippy
- ground
- polished
- oiled
- coated
- burnished
- sanded
- glazed
- rubbed
- brushed
- soapy
- glossed
- waxed
- waxy
- buffed
- shined
- scraped
- rasped
- scrubbed
- sandblasted
- sandpapered
- scoured
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rough
- uneven
- roughened
- scuffed
- coarsened
2
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means a slick ad campaign that made smoking look cool and sexy Synonyms & Similar Words
- cunning
- cute
- subtle
- deceptive
- treacherous
- slippery
- fraudulent
- dishonest
- sly
- artful
- crooked
- designing
- beguiling
- cagey
- wily
- shrewd
- tricky
- foxy
- crafty
- scheming
- devious
- sharp
- dodgy
- shady
- calculating
- deceitful
- guileful
- plotting
- cagy
- glib
- covert
- shifty
- facile
- circular
- serpentine
- sneaky
- clandestine
- astute
- underhanded
- undercover
- oblique
- insinuating
- unscrupulous
- concealed
- roundabout
- surreptitious
- backhanded
- underhand
- stealthy
- secret
- hypocritical
- insincere
- mealy
- circuitous
- knavish
- furtive
- mealymouthed
- Machiavellian
- two-faced
- smooth-tongued
- double-dealing
- hugger-mugger
- left-handed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- plain
- artless
- guileless
- simple
- real
- innocent
- obvious
- straightforward
- open
- public
- direct
- natural
- frank
- unpretentious
- unaffected
- forthright
- sincere
- unsophisticated
- candid
- unvarnished
- honest
- outspoken
- ingenuous
- unconcealed
- patent
- childlike
- simpleminded
- undesigning
- unpretending
- plainspoken
- impressionable
- unworldly
- aboveboard
- unstudied
- trusting
- unforced
- trustful
3
as in excellent
of the very best kind that's a slick new suit you have on Synonyms & Similar Words
- excellent
- beautiful
- terrific
- lovely
- superb
- great
- awesome
- wonderful
- stellar
- fantastic
- fabulous
- hot
- fine
- neat
- marvelous
- prime
- cool
- classic
- quality
- sensational
- groovy
- nifty
- cracking
- sterling
- famous
- heavenly
- top
- dandy
- superior
- swell
- crackerjack
- dope
- brave
- marvellous
- splendid
- dynamite
- choice
- good
- bumper
- peachy
- divine
- grand
- superlative
- banner
- topping
- corking
- phat
- fab
- too much
- primo
- prize
- keen
- exceptional
- topflight
- boffo
- unsurpassed
- decent
- par excellence
- immense
- wizard
- hype
- number one
- frontline
- noble
- high-class
- gangbusters
- radical
- brag
- bully
- top-notch
- capital
- gangbuster
- boss
- mean
- prizewinning
- gone
- first-rate
- top-shelf
- down
- bang-up
- righteous
- bonny
- tip-top
- first-class
- better
- top-of-the-line
- gilt-edge
- numero uno
- fantabulous
- supernal
- gilt-edged
- adequate
- passable
- satisfactory
- fancy
- special
- blue-chip
- out-of-sight
- traditional
- jim-dandy
- five-star
- blue-ribbon
- peachy keen
- acceptable
- premium
- out of this world
- first-string
- A-OK
- four-star
- bonnie
- tolerable
- classical
- all right
- A1
- standard
- superfine
- No. 1
- select
- high-grade
- okay
- high-test
- OK
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- poor
- awful
- lousy
- vile
- pathetic
- rotten
- terrible
- atrocious
- wretched
- execrable
- bad
- substandard
- inferior
- unsatisfactory
- mediocre
- low-grade
- middling
- second-rate
- second-class
slick
3 of 3noun
1
as in pictorial
Synonyms & Similar Words
- pictorial
- sheet
- extra
- edition
- tab
- tabloid
- digest
- broadside
- serial
- supplement
- monthly
- little magazine
- rag
- weekly
- fanzine
- daily
- quarterly
- annual
- newsletter
- bulletin
- bimonthly
- newspaper
- yearbook
- paper
- mag
- biweekly
- periodical
- book
- magazine
- organ
- newsweekly
- newsmagazine
- zine
- journal
- gazette
- semiweekly
- semimonthly
- triweekly
- review
- diurnal
2
as in slicker
Synonyms & Similar Words
- slicker
- slickster
- slyboots
- smoothy
- fox
- sneaker
- smoothie
- sneak
- fast-talker
- knave
- rogue
- schemer
- wheeler-dealer
- gamesman
- fake
- charlatan
- plotter
- rascal
- phony
- prankster
- pretender
- phoney
- quack
- impostor
- faker
- mountebank
- ringer
- quacksalver
- cardsharp
- bluffer
- imposter
- adventurer
- blackleg
- sharper
- sham
- cardsharper
- skinner
- dodger
- swindler
- cheat
- tricker
- confidence man
- chiseler
- sharpy
- bilker
- humbug
- cozener
- bilk
- sharpie
- double-crosser
- cheater
- scammer
- defrauder
- trickster
- scamster
- finagler
- fraudster
- double-dealer
- chiseller
- shark
- fakir
- hoaxer
3
as in chopper
Synonyms & Similar Words
- chopper
- whirlybird
- helicopter
- eggbeater
- copter
- helo
- convertaplane
- convertiplane
- autogiro
- autogyro
- gyroplane
- rotorcraft
- rotary-wing aircraft
- tilt-rotor
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of slick are artful, crafty, cunning, foxy, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.
slick operators selling time-sharing
Although the words artful and slick have much in common, artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.
elicited the information by artful questioning
The synonyms crafty and slick are sometimes interchangeable, but crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.
a crafty lefthander
The meanings of cunning and slick largely overlap; however, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.
the cunning fox avoided the trap
While the synonyms foxy and slick are close in meaning, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.
a foxy publicity man planting stories
While in some cases nearly identical to slick, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.
a sly corporate raider
In some situations, the words tricky and slick are roughly equivalent. However, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.
a tricky political operative
The words wily and slick can be used in similar contexts, but wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.
the wily fugitive escaped the posse