Slippery describes things that are hard to hold onto or move on, either literally due to smoothness or figuratively due to elusiveness.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Difficult to grip or move on due to smoothness.
- Can describe surfaces, objects, or abstract ideas.
- Often implies a risk of falling or being evasive.
**Overview**
The word 'slippery' primarily describes a physical characteristic of a surface or object. It indicates a lack of friction, making it prone to causing slips, falls, or difficulty in gripping. This can be due to natural properties (like ice) or external factors (like oil or water). Beyond its literal meaning, 'slippery' is frequently used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts or behaviors that are hard to pin down or control.
**Usage Patterns**
'Slippery' is commonly used as a descriptive adjective. It can modify nouns referring to surfaces (slippery floor, slippery road), objects (slippery bar of soap), or even living things (a slippery fish). Figuratively, it modifies abstract nouns (slippery slope, slippery subject) or describes people who are evasive or untrustworthy ('a slippery character'). It often appears in warnings or cautionary statements.
**Common Contexts**
You'll encounter 'slippery' in everyday life, especially in contexts involving weather (icy roads, wet pavements), household chores (cleaning greasy pans, dropping soap), or safety warnings (beware of slippery surfaces). In a more abstract sense, it's used in discussions about politics ('a slippery political maneuver'), ethics ('a slippery slope to moral decay'), or complex topics ('a slippery subject for debate').
**Similar Words Comparison**:
- Slick: 'Slick' is very similar and often interchangeable with 'slippery' when describing a surface made smooth and difficult to grip, often due to a coating of oil or water. However, 'slick' can also have positive connotations, meaning smooth, stylish, or sophisticated (e.g., 'a slick presentation'). 'Slippery' rarely carries these positive meanings.
- Greasy: 'Greasy' specifically refers to being covered in or containing fat or oil. While a greasy surface is often slippery, 'greasy' focuses on the substance causing the slipperiness, whereas 'slippery' focuses on the effect (difficulty in gripping or moving).
- Icy: 'Icy' specifically means covered in ice. An icy surface is inherently slippery, but 'slippery' is a broader term that can apply to many conditions beyond ice.
Exemplos
Be careful, the kitchen floor is slippery because of spilled oil.
everydayTen cuidado, el suelo de la cocina está resbaladizo por el aceite derramado.
The icy roads made for a treacherous and slippery drive this morning.
everydayLas carreteras heladas provocaron un viaje traicionero y resbaladizo esta mañana.
He's a slippery character; you can never quite trust what he says.
informalEs un personaje escurridizo; nunca puedes confiar del todo en lo que dice.
The debate touched upon a slippery ethical slope, raising concerns about future implications.
academicEl debate abordó una resbaladiza pendiente ética, suscitando preocupaciones sobre las implicaciones futuras.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
slippery when wet
resbaladizo cuando está mojado
slippery slope
pendiente resbaladiza
a slippery character
un personaje escurridizo
Frequentemente confundido com
'Slick' often implies a smooth, polished surface that is hard to grip, similar to 'slippery'. However, 'slick' can also mean sophisticated or stylish (e.g., 'a slick advertisement'), a connotation 'slippery' generally lacks.
'Greasy' specifically refers to being covered in oil or fat. While a greasy surface is often slippery, 'greasy' focuses on the substance, whereas 'slippery' focuses on the resulting difficulty in grip or movement.
Padrões gramaticais
How to Use It
Notas de uso
Use 'slippery' to describe surfaces that are difficult to walk on or objects that are hard to hold. It is often used in warnings about safety. The figurative use, referring to elusiveness or a potential for negative consequences, is also common in discussions and debates.
Erros comuns
Avoid using 'slippery' to describe something that is merely difficult to understand without implying evasiveness or a potential for error. Ensure the context clearly indicates whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended.
Tips
Watch your step!
Use 'slippery' to warn others about potentially hazardous surfaces, like wet floors or icy paths.
Beware of the figurative use
Remember that 'slippery' can describe abstract concepts, like a 'slippery slope' in arguments or a 'slippery character' who avoids direct answers.
Cultural context of 'slippery'
In many cultures, specific conditions like rain, snow, or ice are associated with 'slippery' roads, influencing travel safety advice and common expressions.
Origem da palavra
The word 'slippery' comes from the Old English word 'slīper', related to 'slīpan' (to slip). It has retained its core meaning of tending to slip or slide since its early usage.
Contexto cultural
In many cultures, warnings about 'slippery' surfaces (especially due to ice or rain) are common public safety announcements, reflecting the universal understanding of the danger associated with reduced friction.
Dica de memorização
Imagine trying to hold onto a bar of wet soap; it's 'slippery' and hard to grip, making you want to 'slip' away. This visual helps remember the core meaning of difficulty in holding or moving.
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntas'Slippery' focuses on the difficulty of grip or movement, often implying danger. 'Slick' can mean the same, but also implies smoothness, style, or sophistication in certain contexts.
Yes, 'slippery' is often used figuratively. It can describe a topic that is hard to understand, a person who is evasive, or a situation that could easily lead to worse outcomes (a 'slippery slope').
Often, yes, especially when describing physical surfaces, as it implies a risk of falling. Figuratively, it usually carries negative connotations of elusiveness or danger.
Common causes include water, ice, oil, grease, soap, or polished surfaces. Figuratively, slipperiness can arise from ambiguity, deception, or a lack of firm principles.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct word.
Be careful walking on the wooden deck after the rain; it can get quite ____.
'Slippery' best describes a surface that becomes difficult to walk on when wet.
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
The politician was accused of using ______ arguments that were hard to pin down.
'Slippery' is used figuratively here to mean evasive or difficult to grasp, fitting the context of unclear arguments.
Arrange the words to form a grammatically correct sentence.
floor / the / is / wet / slippery / The
This is the most natural and grammatically correct way to describe a wet floor that is slippery.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Summary
Slippery describes things that are hard to hold onto or move on, either literally due to smoothness or figuratively due to elusiveness.
- Difficult to grip or move on due to smoothness.
- Can describe surfaces, objects, or abstract ideas.
- Often implies a risk of falling or being evasive.
Watch your step!
Use 'slippery' to warn others about potentially hazardous surfaces, like wet floors or icy paths.
Beware of the figurative use
Remember that 'slippery' can describe abstract concepts, like a 'slippery slope' in arguments or a 'slippery character' who avoids direct answers.
Cultural context of 'slippery'
In many cultures, specific conditions like rain, snow, or ice are associated with 'slippery' roads, influencing travel safety advice and common expressions.
Exemplos
4 de 4Be careful, the kitchen floor is slippery because of spilled oil.
Ten cuidado, el suelo de la cocina está resbaladizo por el aceite derramado.
The icy roads made for a treacherous and slippery drive this morning.
Las carreteras heladas provocaron un viaje traicionero y resbaladizo esta mañana.
He's a slippery character; you can never quite trust what he says.
Es un personaje escurridizo; nunca puedes confiar del todo en lo que dice.
The debate touched upon a slippery ethical slope, raising concerns about future implications.
El debate abordó una resbaladiza pendiente ética, suscitando preocupaciones sobre las implicaciones futuras.
