slippery

Pronunciation: /ˈslɪpəɹi/

The English word “slippery” has 5 meanings listed here.

adjective

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.
Evasive; difficult to pin down.
Liable to slip; not standing firm.
Unstable; changeable; inconstant.
Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals.

Etymology

From Middle English slipperie, an extended form ( + -y) of Middle English slipper, sliper (“slippery”), from Old English slipor (“slippery”), from Proto-Germanic *slipraz (“smooth, slippery”), equivalent to slip + -er. Compare also Middle English slibbri, slubbri (“slippery”) borrowed from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German slibberich (“slippery”). Cognate with German schlüpfrig (“slippery”),…

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