sleek

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word sleek. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word sleek, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say sleek in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word sleek you have here. The definition of the word sleek will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofsleek, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

A late variant of slick; cognate to German schleichen (Old High German slihhan) and Dutch slijk (“mud, slime”). Compare slink.

Pronunciation

Adjective

sleek (comparative sleeker, superlative sleekest)

  1. Having an even, smooth surface; smooth
    Synonyms: frictionless, silky; see also Thesaurus:smooth
    sleek hair
  2. Glossy.
    Synonyms: glacé, sheeny; see also Thesaurus:glossy
  3. Not rough or harsh.
    Synonyms: civilized, classy, elegant, graceful, refined
    • 1673, John Milton, “Sonnet 11”, in Poems, line 10:
      Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek.
  4. Slim and streamlined; not plump, thick, or stocky.
    Synonyms: lithe, svelte; see also Thesaurus:slender
  5. (of stock animals) Healthy, well-fed and well-groomed; in good condition.
  6. Dated form of slick (“convincing but untrustworthy”).
    • 1892, The Critic, volume 20, page 229:
      'Are these the Carrara marbles?' the lady queried. 'Yes, madam,' responded the sleek salesman.

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Adverb

sleek (not comparable)

  1. (dated, colloquial) With ease and dexterity.
    Synonyms: clean, slick

Verb

sleek (third-person singular simple present sleeks, present participle sleeking, simple past and past participle sleeked)

  1. (transitive) To make smooth or glossy; to polish.
    • 1895, The New Technical Educator, page 258:
      The sloping brush sleeks the surface.
  2. (transitive, dated) To calm or soothe.
  3. (intransitive, dated) To glide.

Translations

Noun

sleek (uncountable)

  1. That which makes smooth; varnish.

Translations

Anagrams

Scots

Etymology

Variant of slick.

Pronunciation

Adjective

sleek (comparative sleeker, superlative sleekest)

  1. sleek

Verb

sleek (third-person singular simple present sleeks, present participle sleekin, simple past sleekit, past participle sleekit)

  1. to sleek

Descendants

  • → Irish: slíoc
Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia