What does "sleek" mean?
That which makes smooth; varnish.
Sleek
/sliːk/ adj, adv, noun, verb, slang
adj, adv, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That which makes smooth; varnish.
- Grammar: sleek is listed as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: streamlined, adipose, aerodynamic, aesthetic.
- Useful contrasts: awkward, boxy, brown earths.
- Usage evidence: The average Westerner, in his sleek complacency, will see in the tea ceremony but another instance of the thousand and one oddities which constitute the quaintness and childishness of the East to him.
How to use "sleek"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "sleek" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "sleek" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "sleek" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "sleek" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "sleek" is acting as adj, adv, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "streamlined" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "sleek", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That which makes smooth; varnish. uncountable
Verb
- 1 To make smooth or glossy; to polish. transitive
"The sloping brush sleeks the surface."
- 2 make slick or smooth wordnet
- 3 To calm or soothe. dated, transitive
- 4 To glide. dated, intransitive
Adjective
- 1 Having an even, smooth surface; smooth
"sleek hair"
- 2 Glossy.
- 3 Not rough or harsh.
"Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek."
- 4 Slim and streamlined; not plump, thick, or stocky.
"But if it were like a rabbit that Rosa went, she came back like a weasel or some such sleek and lissom creature."
- 5 Healthy, well-fed and well-groomed; in good condition.
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Dated form of slick (“convincing but untrustworthy”). alt-of, dated
"'Are these the Carrara marbles?' the lady queried. 'Yes, madam,' responded the sleek salesman."
Adjective
- 1 having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light; being of a smooth, soft and lustrous quality, resembling silk wordnet
- 2 designed or arranged to offer the least resistance to fluid flow wordnet
- 3 well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed wordnet
Adverb
- 1 With ease and dexterity. colloquial, dated, not-comparable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The average Westerner, in his sleek complacency, will see in the tea ceremony but another instance of the thousand and one oddities which constitute the quaintness and childishness of the East to him."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "sleek"?
Common synonyms include: streamlined, adipose, aerodynamic, aesthetic, aesthetic model design, anal.
How do you use "sleek" in a sentence?
The average Westerner, in his sleek complacency, will see in the tea ceremony but another instance of the thousand and one oddities which constitute the quaintness and childishness of the East to him.
How do you pronounce "sleek"?
Pronounced /sliːk/.
Etymology
A late variant of slick; cognate to German schleichen (Old High German slihhan) and Dutch slijk (“mud, slime”). Compare slink.