adj
slippery
SLIH-puh-ree
adj
1
Having a smooth, low-friction surface that makes it easy to slide or fall.
"Be careful, the floor is slippery after mopping."
"The icy road was too slippery to drive on safely."
2
Hard to pin down or trust, especially because someone is evasive or dishonest.
"The politician was slippery about answering direct questions."
How to Use Slippery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHard to grip or hold — either literally (a wet surface) or figuratively (a person who dodges questions or commitments).
Common pairings
slippery surface
a slippery slope
slippery customer
Word Forms
slipperier comparative, more slippery comparative, slipperiest superlative, most slippery superlative
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Etymology
From Old English slipor ("smooth, slippery"), from the same Germanic root as "slip."