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oil slick

American

noun

a smooth area on the surface of water caused by the presence of oil.

oil slick British

noun

a mass of floating oil covering an area of water, esp oil that has leaked or been discharged from a ship

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of oil slick

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Everyone hates regulation—until a plane crashes or an oil slick washes ashore.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

The Rubymar was an “environmental disaster” even before sinking because the attack created an 18-mile oil slick, Central Command warned last month.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2024

The Trinidad and Tobago Weather Center said satellite images suggested the oil slick had spread into the marine area of Grenada as early as 14 February.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2024

Their urine is black from severe dehydration, like spots of oil slick against the bright snow.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2024

When the bell rang, a nasal buzzing sound, a gangly boy with skin problems and hair black as an oil slick leaned across the aisle to talk to me.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023