to slick

Examples

• All

• First off, I just want to slick my brows so that they can set.

• This is a great styling tool to slick your hair and it actually makes your hair look less big.

• It's a beautiful day out, slick your hair back, and get some sun.

  Kiss Me, Guido (1997)

• Yeah, I'm just going to slick this down.

• Make sure to back comb the back, slick it back.

• Rub it in, put it on the edges and slick that sheet.

  B. Simone

• I love spraying this when I want to slick my hair.

  Nina Ubhi

• His hair was thinning and slicked back, and he could have done with a good shave.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Mom's clothes were soaked, and the rain had slicked her hair against her skull.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Merritt's gray and brown hair was slicked back with Vitalis just as carefully as always.

  Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

A

to apply

vsto slick

263 1.3

Put a substance onto a surface to cover it

is specifically about making surfaces shiny smooth or slippery by adding substances

G

to grease

vsto slick

68 2.8

To put oily material on moving parts so they move smoothly

aims to reduce friction for movement not to create shine or gloss

S

to smooth

vsto slick

54 1.1

To make a surface even by rubbing or pressing

often achieves shine by applying a substance that can make surfaces slippery

P

to polish

vsto slick

46 1.1

To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing it

sometimes needs adding a substance to produce slipperiness as well as shine

G

to glaze

vsto slick

33 4.2

To cover a surface with a smooth shiny liquid that dries hard, for example on food or pottery

adds a hard glossy coating rather than only creating slipperiness

L

to lubricate

vsto slick

• Specialized

19 4.4

To make machine parts move smoothly by putting oil or grease on them

focuses on reducing friction to aid movement rather than producing shine

B

to buff

vsto slick

17 4.4

To polish something by rubbing until it is smooth or shiny

focuses on rubbing away marks while the other often uses coating for slipperiness

B

to burnish

vsto slick

11 7.1

To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing

may instead create slipperiness by coating rather than only bringing out shine

G

to gloss

vsto slick

1 4.0

To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing or polishing

often adds material that makes surfaces slippery not only a shiny finish

S

to slick down

vsto slick

1 5.8

To make a surface such as hair smooth and shiny by using a product or pushing it flat

often makes things slippery by coating rather than just neat glossy appearance

S

to sleek

vsto slick

1 4.3

To make something smooth and shiny by brushing or pressing

often uses a substance to add slipperiness not only tidiness or gloss

F

to furbish

vsto slick

• Archaic

1 9.2

To make something shiny by rubbing

often achieves smooth or slippery effects by applying substances not just rubbing

S

to sleek down

vsto slick

5.8

To make hair smooth and shiny by pressing it or using a little gel

often creates slipperiness via coating not only a flat shiny look

S

to smoothen

vsto slick

4.3

To make a surface flat and even by rubbing or polishing

may use a wet coating to make surfaces slippery rather than only evenness

Phrasal Verbs

S

to slick down

1 5.8

To make a surface such as hair smooth and shiny by using a product or pushing it flat

S

to slick up

• Informal

6.8

Make a person look neat and more attractive by dressing and grooming them carefully

Compounds

O

oil slick

6 3.7

A thin layer of oil that floats on water after a spill

S

slick magazine

• Archaic

4.7

A magazine printed on shiny good quality paper with many photos and bright design

How Smooth

to slick

18 5.0

to lubricate

• Specialized

19 4.4

to grease

68 2.8

to polish

46 1.1

to wipe

531 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology