slick

• Se dit de quelque chose de lisse, efficace et bien fait, souvent avec une connotation d'habileté ou de raffinement, notamment en anglais américain.

Used in American English to describe something that is smooth, efficient, and well-made, often with a sense of cleverness or sophistication.

1. Smooth and slipperyB1formal

   Having a smooth, slippery surface, often due to a substance like ice, oil, or grease.

   Glissant et lisse

   • The roads were slick with ice after the storm.
   • Be careful, the floor is slick from the spilled oil.
   • His hands were slick with grease after fixing the engine.

   Synonymesglossygreasyoilysleekslipperysmooth

   Antonymescoarsedryrough

2. Superficially plausibleB2formal

   Appearing to be true or correct but lacking real depth or substance; glib.

   spécieux

   • The politician gave a slick answer that avoided the real issue.
   • His slick promises sounded good but had no real plan behind them.
   • She saw through his slick explanation immediately.

   Synonymesfacileglibplausibleshallowsilkysmoothspecioussuavesuperficial

   Antonymescandidforthrightgenuinehonestsincerestraightforward

3. Smooth and shinyB1formal

   Having a smooth, glossy, and reflective surface.

   lisse et brillant

   • The car had a slick, polished finish.
   • Her hair was slick and shiny after using the conditioner.
   • The magazine cover had a slick, glossy texture.

   Synonymesglossylustrouspolishedsatinyshinysleek

   Antonymescoarsedullgrainymatterough

4. Skilled in deceptionB2informal

   Cleverly and often deceptively skillful; marked by cunning or trickery.

   Déloyalement habile, retors

   • The con artist was a slick operator who fooled many people.
   • He used slick tactics to win the negotiation.
   • The slick salesman convinced them to buy a faulty product.

   Synonymescraftycunningdeviousduplicitousguilefulsilver-tonguedslysmooth-tonguedtrickywily

   Antonymesartlessguilelesshonestingenuousnaive

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : une surface lisse et glissante ; un magazine imprimé sur papier glacé de haute qualité ; une pellicule d'huile ou de débris flottant sur l'eau ; ou une truelle utilisée pour lisser une surface.

A noun with multiple meanings: a slippery smoothness; a magazine printed on high-quality paper; a film of oil or garbage floating on water; or a trowel used to make a surface smooth.

1. Slippery smoothnessB2formal

   A condition or area that is smooth and slippery, often due to moisture or oil.

   Surface glissante

   • The road had a slick of ice after the freezing rain.
   • Be careful of the slick on the floor after it was mopped.
   • The car skidded on a slick of oil on the highway.

   Synonymeslubricityslicknessslipperinesssmoothness

2. Glossy magazineB2informalamerican

   A magazine printed on high-quality, glossy paper, often associated with fashion or lifestyle.

   Magazine sur papier glacé

   • She was featured in a fashion slick last month.
   • He flipped through the pages of a glossy travel slick.
   • The advertisement appeared in several high-end slicks.

   Synonymesglossy

3. Floating filmB2formal

   A thin layer of oil or other substance floating on the surface of water.

   nappe flottante

   • An oil slick spread rapidly across the bay after the spill.
   • The cleanup crew worked to contain the garbage slick.
   • Environmentalists monitored the slick's movement toward the shore.

   Synonymescoatcoatingfilmlayersheen

4. Smoothing toolC1formal

   A trowel used in construction or plastering to create a smooth, flat surface.

   Truelle à lisser

   • The plasterer used a slick to finish the wall smoothly.
   • A slick is essential for achieving a polished concrete floor.
   • He cleaned the slick after applying the final coat of plaster.

   Synonymesslicker

• Verbe signifiant rendre quelque chose lisse, brillant ou soigné, souvent en appliquant une substance ou en coiffant ; également utilisé familièrement pour désigner le fait de donner à quelque chose un aspect plus poli ou professionnel.

A verb meaning to make something smooth, glossy, or neat, often by applying a substance or by styling; also used informally to mean to make something appear more polished or professional.

1. Make smooth or glossyB2informal

   To make something smooth, glossy, or sleek, often by applying a substance or by pressing.

   rendre lisse et brillant

   • He slicked his hair back with gel.
   • She slicked the surface of the table with oil.
   • The mechanic slicked the engine parts to reduce friction.

   Synonymesburnishglazeglosspolishshinesleeksmooth

   Antonymescoarsenroughroughen

2. Make neat or tidyB2informal

   To make something neat, tidy, or streamlined, often by smoothing it down.

   Lisser, aplatir

   • He slicked down his shirt collar before the meeting.
   • She slicked the pages of the book flat.
   • The stylist slicked the model's hair into a sleek ponytail.

   Synonymesgroomneatenpolishsleeksmoothtidy

Variantes phrasalslick downslick up