slinky

American  

[sling-kee] / ˈslɪŋ ki /

adjective

slinkier, slinkiest

1. characterized by or proceeding with slinking or stealthy movements.

2. made of soft, often clinging material that follows the figure closely and flows with body movement.

   a slinky gown.

---

slinky British  

/ ˈslɪŋkɪ /

adjective

1. moving in a sinuously graceful or provocative way

2. (of clothes) figure-hugging; clinging

3. characterized by furtive movements

---

Other Word Forms

• slinkily adverb
• slinkiness noun

Etymology

Origin of slinky

First recorded in 1915–20; slink + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“It was painful to go through and see how Elizabeth was done … she went from this kind of innocent victim in the first reporting to this sinister, slinky woman, somehow responsible for her murder.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

And at Althuis Hofland Fine Arts, Kazakh artist Waldemar Zimbelmann offers viewers a slinky series of self-portraits in which the artist twists, spins and transforms himself in a series of highly textured guises.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

The light from the star stretches and compresses - just like a slinky.

From Space Scoop • Apr. 23, 2025

Released just in time for Pride month in 2023, the slinky, sinuous club anthem became an unexpected viral smash.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024

She’s dressed as this yellow slinky alien from a candy commercial.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle