slippery

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English slipperie, an extended form ( +‎ -y) of Middle English slipper, sliper (“slippery”), from Old English slipor (“slippery”), from Proto-Germanic *slipraz (“smooth, slippery”), equivalent to slip +‎ -er. Compare also Middle English slibbri, slubbri (“slippery”) borrowed from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German slibberich (“slippery”). Cognate with German schlüpfrig (“slippery”), Danish slibrig (“slippery”), Swedish slipprig (“slippery”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈslɪpəɹi/, /ˈslɪpɹi/ === Adjective === slippery (comparative slipperier or more slippery, superlative slipperiest or most slippery) Of a surface, having low friction, often due to being covered in a non-viscous liquid, and therefore hard to grip, hard to stand on without falling, etc. Synonyms: greasy, slick, slimy, slippy, wet, slithery Antonym: sticky (figuratively, by extension) Evasive; difficult to pin down. (obsolete) Liable to slip; not standing firm. Unstable; changeable; inconstant. (obsolete) Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== slip ==== Translations ====