slippery

[slip-uh-ree, slip-ree]

adjective

slipperier, slipperiest 

1. tending or liable to cause slipping slip or sliding, as ice, oil, a wet surface, etc..

   a slippery road.

2. tending to slip from the hold or grasp or from position.

   a slippery rope.

3. likely to slip away or escape.

   slippery prospects.

4. not to be depended on; fickle; shifty, tricky, or deceitful.

5. unstable or insecure, as conditions.

   a slippery situation.

slippery

/ -prɪ, ˈslɪpərɪ /

adjective

1. causing or tending to cause objects to slip

   a slippery road

2. liable to slip from the grasp, a position, etc

3. not to be relied upon; cunning and untrustworthy

   a slippery character

4. (esp of a situation) liable to change; unstable

5. a course of action that will lead to disaster or failure

Other Word Forms

• slipperiness noun
• nonslippery adjective
• unslippery adjective
• slipperily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of slippery¹

1525–35; alteration of slipper ²; compare Low German slipperig; -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of slippery¹

C16: probably coined by Coverdale to translate German schlipfferig in Luther's Bible (Psalm 35:6); related to Old English slipor slippery

Example Sentences

Experts warn the obscure 19th century law at the heart of the debate is vague and “full of loopholes,” worrying some who see repeated deployment as a slippery slope to widespread, long-term military occupations.

From Los Angeles Times

The bikini-clad pose in front of a waterfall, while a snaking line of tourists await their turn on slippery rocks.

From BBC

The final quarter fizzled out as changes and a slippery ball broke up any rhythm to the contest, but there are likely to be fireworks, and a more testing encounter for England, on semi-final weekend.

From BBC

Later, when asked about constitutional interpretation, she opined about the slippery text of the 4th Amendment, the same amendment implicated in Monday’s unsigned order.

From Los Angeles Times

“All I know is there was beer everywhere, it’s slippery, he slipped apparently, we do not know the rest of it,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• glistening www.thesaurus.com
• greasy 
• icy 
• perilous 
• polished 
• silky 
• unsafe 
• unstable 
• wet