noun
Uncommon
slime
slym
Slime (noun) means a thick, sticky, wet substance, such as the mucus produced by snails or slugs. Example: “The snail left a trail of slime across the pavement.”
noun
1
A thick, sticky, wet substance, such as the mucus produced by snails or slugs.
"The snail left a trail of slime across the pavement."
2
A soft, stretchy toy substance made from polymers, popular with children.
"The kids spent the afternoon mixing glue and borax to make homemade slime."
3
(informal) A dishonest or unpleasant person.
"Everyone in the office knew he was a slime who'd throw colleagues under the bus."
verb
1
To coat something with slime, or to disparage and undermine someone.
"The tabloids slimed the actor with a string of unfounded rumours."
How to use slime
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sticky, wet substance — literal (mucus, mud) or a stretchy toy — and, informally, a slippery, dishonest person.
Common pairings
trail of slime
homemade slime
total slime
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Word forms
- Plural
- slimes
- Third person singular
- slimes
- Past tense
- slimed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The snail left a trail of _____ across the pavement.
Etymology
From Old English slīm, an ancient Germanic word related to Latin limus, "mud" — both trace back to a root meaning "smooth, sticky."
Related words
Rhymes for slime
See all rhymes for slime →Frequently asked questions
What does “slime” mean?
The word “slime” means a thick, sticky, wet substance, such as the mucus produced by snails or slugs. In plain terms, a sticky, wet substance — literal (mucus, mud) or a stretchy toy — and, informally, a slippery, dishonest person.
How do you pronounce “slime”?
“Slime” is pronounced slym (/slaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “slime” in a sentence?
Here is “slime” used in a sentence: “The snail left a trail of slime across the pavement.”
What part of speech is “slime”?
Depending on how it is used, “slime” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “slime” come from?
The word “slime” comes from Latin. From Old English slīm, an ancient Germanic word related to Latin limus, "mud" — both trace back to a root meaning "smooth, sticky.".
Is “slime” a common word?
“Slime” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “slime” have?
“Slime” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thick, sticky, wet substance, such as the mucus produced by snails or slugs.
