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Definition of slippery

slippery

/ˈslɪp.ɚ.i/
slip · per · y
Adverb:slipperily
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slippery Lexical Profile

slippery Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Difficult to hold firmly or stand on because it is smooth, wet, icy, or slimy.

Example

"Drive carefully tonight because the freezing rain has made the roads extremely slippery."

2

Evasive, unpredictable, and difficult to trust or pin down (of a person or their behavior).

Example

"The prosecutor struggled to cross-examine the slippery witness, who deflected every direct question."

3

Subtle, ambiguous, or difficult to define or resolve with certainty (of a concept, term, or problem).

Example

"Personal identity can be a slippery concept for philosophers and psychologists to define precisely."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for slippery

• Rhymes for slippery

• Nearby Words

slippered
slipperily
slipperiness
slippery
slippery elm
slippy
sliproad

Word Origin & Etymology

Recorded from the late 15th century, formed as an alteration of Old English 'slipor' (meaning 'unstable' or 'having a smooth surface'), blended with the verb 'slip' and the adjectival suffix '-y'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Slippery. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/slippery
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