oil slick

noun

: a film of oil floating on water

Examples of oil slick in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Picture the surface of a soap bubble or a rainbow-like oil slick. Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024 Four teenagers find themselves on an isolated lake float, trapped by a creature that looks like an oil slick, but behaves with ravenous and agonizing intent. Neil McRobert, Vulture, 20 May 2024 The Houthi attack last month caused an 18-mile oil slick and forced the crew to abandon the ship. Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 One tussle is composed in black and white; others take place with the creatures skidding on oil slicks and water puddles, or gawking as the Chameleon, living up to her name, throws a jab that mutates into an elephant’s trunk. Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oil slick 

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oil slick was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near oil slick

Cite this Entry

“Oil slick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oil%20slick. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

oil slick

noun
: a film of oil floating on water
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