slimy

American  

[slahy-mee] / ˈslaɪ mi /

adjective

slimier, slimiest

1. of or like slime.

2. abounding in or covered with slime.

3. offensively foul or vile.

---

slimy British  

/ ˈslaɪmɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by, covered with, containing, secreting, or resembling slime

2. offensive or repulsive

3. characterized by servility

---

Other Word Forms

• slimily
  adverb
• sliminess
  noun

Etymology

Origin of slimy

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at slime, -y ¹

Explanation

A slimy slug is fun, but a slimy person is tricky. Slimy means either sticky and wet, or dishonest and rude. A creep who sells broken wheelchairs while smiling is slimy. Slime is a moist and clammy substance, like the stuff a snail leaves behind or the mucus that comes out of your nose. Anything that's slimy is like slime, so it's a good word for describing gross substances. If your oatmeal is slimy, it's less than appetizing, and if a pond is slimy, you probably won't want to swim in it. Figuratively, slimy also means "evil" or "despicable."

Example Sentences

I don’t want to ruin this friendship, but it feels slimy.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Understanding how this molecular gearbox works could help researchers develop ways to stop bacteria from forming biofilms, slimy communities that cause infections and contaminate medical devices.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

Today she listens to me rant about my slimy mollusk phobia, and I push back against her competitive streak with my own.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

However, she can only eat small cherry tomatoes because she finds the big ones, with their slimy, jelly-like interior, repulsive - something plenty of neurodivergent people will agree with.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

Just because he was small and slimy, that didn’t necessarily make him an enemy.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Related Words

• viscous