adj
slimy
SLEYE-mee
Slimy (adj) means Covered in or resembling slime. Example: “The rocks by the pond were slimy and slippery underfoot.”
adj
1
Covered in or resembling slime.
"The rocks by the pond were slimy and slippery underfoot."
2
(informal) Dishonest and falsely friendly; untrustworthy.
"He gave a slimy compliment that felt more like a threat."
"She couldn't stand her slimy landlord, always smiling while raising the rent."
How to use slimy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPhysically covered in slime, or figuratively sneaky and insincere.
Common pairings
slimy creature
slimy salesman
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Word forms
- Plural
- slimies
- Comparative
- slimier
- Superlative
- slimiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rocks by the pond were _____ and slippery underfoot.
Etymology
From "slime" plus the adjective suffix "-y," replacing an older Old English word for the same idea.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for slimy
See all rhymes for slimy →Frequently asked questions
What does “slimy” mean?
The word “slimy” means covered in or resembling slime. In plain terms, physically covered in slime, or figuratively sneaky and insincere.
How do you pronounce “slimy”?
“Slimy” is pronounced SLEYE-mee (/ˈslaɪ.mi/ in IPA).
How do you use “slimy” in a sentence?
Here is “slimy” used in a sentence: “The rocks by the pond were slimy and slippery underfoot.”
What part of speech is “slimy”?
“Slimy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “slimy” come from?
The word “slimy” comes from Old English. From "slime" plus the adjective suffix "-y," replacing an older Old English word for the same idea.
How many meanings does “slimy” have?
“Slimy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: covered in or resembling slime.
