slice

American  

[slahys] / slaɪs /

noun

1. a thin, flat piece cut from something.

   a slice of bread.

2. a part, portion, or share.

   a slice of land.

3. any of various implements with a thin, broad blade or part, as for turning food in a frying pan, serving fish at the table, or taking up printing ink; spatula.

4. Sports.

   1. the path described by a ball, as in baseball or golf, that curves in a direction corresponding to the side from which it was struck.

   2. a ball describing such a path.

5. Tennis. a stroke executed by hitting down on the ball with an underhand motion and thus creating backspin.

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verb (used with object)

sliced, slicing

1. to cut into slices; divide into parts.

2. to cut through or cleave with or as if with a knife.

   The ship sliced the sea.

3. to cut off or remove as a slice or slices (sometimes followed by off, away, from, etc.).

4. to remove by means of a slice, slice bar, or similar implement.

5. Sports. to hit (a ball) so as to result in a slice.

verb (used without object)

sliced, slicing

1. to slice something.

2. to admit of being sliced.

3. Sports.

   1. (of a player) to slice the ball.

   2. (of a ball) to describe a slice in flight.

slice British  

/ slaɪs /

noun

1. a thin flat piece cut from something having bulk

   a slice of pork

2. a share or portion

   a slice of the company's revenue

3. any of various utensils having a broad flat blade and resembling a spatula

4. 1. the flight of a ball that travels obliquely because it has been struck off centre

   2. the action of hitting such a shot

   3. the shot so hit

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verb

1. to divide or cut (something) into parts or slices

2. to cut in a clean and effortless manner

3. to move or go (through something) like a knife

   the ship sliced through the water

4. to cut or be cut (from) a larger piece

5. (tr) to remove by use of a slicing implement

6. to hit (a ball) with a slice

7. (tr) rowing to put the blade of the oar into (the water) slantwise

slice Idioms  

1. In addition to the subsequent idiom beginning with slice, also see greatest thing since sliced bread; no matter how you slice it.

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Other Word Forms

• preslice verb (used with object)
• sliceable adjective
• slicer noun
• slicingly adverb
• unsliced adjective

Etymology

Origin of slice

1300–50; (noun) Middle English s ( c ) lice < Old French esclice, noun derivative of esclicer to split up < Frankish *slitjan, akin to Old English slītan, Old Norse slīta, Dutch slījten ( slit ); (v.) late Middle English sklicen < Old French esclicer

Example Sentences

Oh, let’s not forget a generous slice of “Díaz Delight” for dessert.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

But some economists see evidence of a so-called k-shaped economy, where the two legs of the k represent different income groups, with a relatively small slice of high earners boosting spending growth.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Together, they create a cake that feels balanced — substantial enough to anchor a streusel, light enough to warrant a second slice.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Palantir Technologies may be winning a slice of the U.S. government’s major missile-defense program — and that could be worth an estimated billions of dollars to the defense-technology company.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

With the knife from the top tray, she cut a thin slice, then slid it on the hook.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

• carve
• cleave
• divide
• hack
• sever
• shave
• shred
• slash
• slit
• split
• strip