thin slice

noun

A minimal amount of information or experience used to make quick inferences about something through thin-slicing.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounthin slice (plural thin slices)

plural thin slices

  1. human sciencesA minimal amount of information or experience used to make quick inferences about something through thin-slicing.

    Bernieri is an expert in what's known as "thin-slicing methodology". His research is based on the theory that we make a reasonably accurate assessment of a person from observing just a few seconds, or a "thin slice", of their behaviour.

    2009 March 7, Rosie Ifould, “Acting on impulse”, in The Guardian
Cite this entry
APA

thin slice. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thin%20slice

MLA

“thin slice.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thin%20slice. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “thin slice,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/thin%20slice.

Source: thin slice on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.