slippery

comparative slipperier · comparative more slippery · superlative slipperiest · superlative most slippery

1. Of a surface, having low friction, often due to being covered in a non-viscous liquid, and therefore hard to grip, hard to stand on without falling, etc.

   Oily substances render things slippery.

   1 more example

   The screeching of brakes, the monotonous blare of motor horns, the clip-clip of shoes on slippery pavements, the rustling of wet mackintoshes were all part of the great metropolis.

   1936, F.J. Thwaites, chapter XXII, in The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards, published 1940, page 214

   Synonyms: greasy, slick, slimy, slippy, wet, slithery · Antonyms: sticky

2. broadlyfigurativelyEvasive; difficult to pin down.

   a slippery person

   1 more example

   a slippery promise

3. obsoleteLiable to slip; not standing firm.

   Which when they fall, as being slippery standers, / The love that leaned on them, as slippery too, / Do one pluck down another, and together / Die in the fall.

   c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii], line 84

4. Unstable; changeable; inconstant.

   He looking down With scorn or pity on the slippery state Of kings, will tread upon the neck of fate.

   1641 (first performance), [John Denham], The Sophy. […], 2nd edition, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for H[enry] Herringman, […], published 1667, →OCLC, (please specify the page)

5. obsoleteWanton; unchaste; loose in morals.

   My wife is slippery? If thou wilt confess –

   c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], line 273