sleek
English edit
Etymology edit
A late variant of slick; cognate to German schleichen (Old High German slihhan) and Dutch slijk (“mud, slime”). Compare slink.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
sleek (comparative sleeker, superlative sleekest)
- Having an even, smooth surface; smooth
- Synonyms: frictionless, silky; see also Thesaurus:smooth
- sleek hair
- 1717, John DrydenSamuel Garthet al., “Book 1”, in Metamorphoses, translation of Metamorphoses by Ovid, line 837:
- So sleek her skin, so faultless was her make.
- Glossy.
- Synonyms: glacé, sheeny; see also Thesaurus:glossy
- Not rough or harsh.
- 1673, John Milton, “Sonnet 11”, in Poems, line 10:
- Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek.
- Slim and streamlined; not plump, thick, or stocky.
- Synonyms: lithe, svelte; see also Thesaurus:slender
- Healthy, well-fed and well-groomed; in good condition. (of stock animals)
- 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 edit
Translations edit
smooth
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not rough or harsh
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Adverb edit
sleek (not comparable)
Verb edit
sleek (third-person singular simple present sleeks, present participle sleeking, simple past and past participle sleeked)
- (transitive) To make smooth or glossy; to polish.
- 1895, The New Technical Educator, page 258:
- The sloping brush sleeks the surface.
- (transitive, dated) To calm or soothe.
- (intransitive, dated) To glide.
Translations edit
to make smooth; glossy; or to polish
Noun edit
sleek (uncountable)
Translations edit
that which makes smooth; varnish
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Anagrams edit
Scots edit
Etymology edit
Variant of slick.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
sleek (comparative sleeker, superlative sleekest)
Verb edit
sleek (third-person singular simple present sleeks, present participle sleekin, simple past sleekit, past participle sleekit)
- to sleek
Descendants edit
- → Irish: slíoc