rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryslipperyHard to grip
adjective

slippery

SLIP-uh-ree/ˈslɪpəri/

Difficult to grip because of a tendency to slide.

A woman struggles to keep her balance on the slippery tiles.

An older woman loses traction on a visibly wet, smooth tiled surface: one shoe skids forward through a shallow puddle while her planted leg bends and her arms spread to recover her balance.
Etymology
slipperOld Englishsmooth, slippery
+yEnglishcharacterized by

Slipor already described a smooth surface that offered no firm footing or hold. The added -y reinforced an existing adjective, so the word describes a surface's tendency to let feet or objects slide.

In context

SurvivoTek2:53
if your rock is submerged in the water be careful that's where they're most likely to be slippery and you can lose your footing
Basic River Crossing with a Backpack | Backpacking Alice Lake Part 3

More examples

  • The wet soap is too slippery to hold.
  • Watch your step on the slippery stairs.
  • Rain makes the wooden bridge even slipperier.

Forms

slippery · slipperier · slipperiest

slipperiness noun — The quality of being hard to grip.

Similar words

slick
Usually describes a smooth surface made slippery by liquid.
greasy
Specifically describes slipperiness caused by oil or fat.