slippery

[slip-uh-ree, slip-ree]

adjective

slipperier, slipperiest 

1. tending or liable to cause slipping slip or sliding, as ice, oil, a wet surface, etc..

   a slippery road.

2. tending to slip from the hold or grasp or from position.

   a slippery rope.

3. likely to slip away or escape.

   slippery prospects.

4. not to be depended on; fickle; shifty, tricky, or deceitful.

5. unstable or insecure, as conditions.

   a slippery situation.

slippery

/ -prɪ, ˈslɪpərɪ /

adjective

1. causing or tending to cause objects to slip

   a slippery road

2. liable to slip from the grasp, a position, etc

3. not to be relied upon; cunning and untrustworthy

   a slippery character

4. (esp of a situation) liable to change; unstable

5. a course of action that will lead to disaster or failure

Other Word Forms

• slipperily adverb
• slipperiness noun
• nonslippery adjective
• unslippery adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slippery¹

1525–35; alteration of slipper ²; compare Low German slipperig; -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of slippery¹

C16: probably coined by Coverdale to translate German schlipfferig in Luther's Bible (Psalm 35:6); related to Old English slipor slippery

Example Sentences

“All I know is there was beer everywhere, it’s slippery, he slipped apparently, we do not know the rest of it,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“My soapbox may have been slippery, but people tend to love murder mysteries. So I wrapped my heart in one.”

From Los Angeles Times

But that, of course, is the slippery pleasure of “Relay,” which pits individuals against venal institutional might.

From Los Angeles Times

“All I know is there was beer everywhere, it’s slippery, he slipped apparently, we do not know the rest of it,” he continued.

From Los Angeles Times

The tarmac beneath my feet is greasy and slippery with blood.

From BBC

Related Words

• glistening www.thesaurus.com
• greasy 
• icy 
• perilous 
• polished 
• silky 
• unsafe 
• unstable 
• wet