slippery — difficult to hold firmly or stand on because the surface is smooth, wet, or greasy
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: difficult to hold firmly or stand on because the surface is smooth, wet, or greasy
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈslɪpəri/
Example Sentences
- The banana peel made the sidewalk incredibly slippery, turning it into an accidental comedy show.
- My lawyer is so slippery that even oil companies ask him for advice on being smooth.
- Be careful on the slippery stairs; we don't want any accidents.
slippery
ADJECTIVE[/ˈslɪpəri/]
difficult to hold firmly or stand on because the surface is smooth, wet, or greasy
The waiter slipped on the slippery marble floor, sending soup flying everywhere.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Slippery derives from Middle English 'sliper', combining the verb 'slip' (to slide or glide) with the adjective suffix '-ery'. Originally used to describe surfaces or objects with a smooth, slick quality that causes sliding, the term evolved to acquire figurative meanings describing unreliable persons or uncertain situations.
Breakdown
slip (to slide or glide) + -ery (adjective-forming suffix denoting a quality or condition). The suffix '-ery' transforms the verb into an adjective indicating the characteristic or tendency to slip.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The banana peel made the sidewalk incredibly slippery, turning it into an accidental comedy show.”
“My lawyer is so slippery that even oil companies ask him for advice on being smooth.”
“Be careful on the slippery stairs; we don't want any accidents.”
“The fish was so slippery that it escaped from my hands three times before I gave up.”
📚Related Words
Antonyms
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