slippery
/ˈslɪpəɹi/ adjective B1- 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. · Oily substances render things slippery.
- Evasive; difficult to pin down. · a slippery person· a slippery promise
- Unstable; changeable; inconstant.
Comparative slipperier · Superlative slipperiest
From the library
Allan, clinging to that slippery old pile with no way of getting up or down.
when she got to the door, she found she had forgotten the little golden key, and when she went back to the table for it, she found she could not possibly reach it: she could see it quite plainly through the glass, and she tried her best to climb up one of the legs of the table, but it was too slippery; and when she had tired herself out with trying, the poor little thing sat down and cried.
I tendered my resignation, for when you have gained your epaulets on the battle-field, you do not know how to manœuvre on the slippery grounds of the salons.
You have a quick horse, a light tilbury, you are naturally as slippery as an eel; if I had missed you tonight, I might not have had another chance.”
Learn slippery in real texts
With a free account, hover any word in the library for its meaning, hear it read aloud, save words for review timed to your memory, and see how much of each book you already know.