sleek

1 of 2

adjective

ˈslēk 

1

a

: smooth and glossy as if polished

sleek dark hair

b

: having a smooth well-groomed look

sleek cattle

c

: healthy-looking

2

: smooth in speech or manner

also : unctuous

3

a

: having a prosperous air

sleek luxury condominiums

b

: having trim graceful lines

a sleek car

c

: elegant, stylish

a sleek wardrobe

sleekly adverb

sleekness noun

sleek

2 of 2

verb

sleeked; sleeking; sleeks

transitive verb

1

: slick

grooms sleeking cooled horses

—Sunset

2

: to cover up : gloss over

intransitive verb

: slick

Synonyms

Adjective

• buffed
• burnished
• glistening
• glossy
• lustrous
• polished
• rubbed
• satin
• satiny

Choose the Right Synonym for sleek

sleek, slick, glossy mean having a smooth bright surface or appearance.

sleek suggests a smoothness or brightness resulting from attentive grooming or physical conditioning.

a sleek racehorse

slick suggests extreme smoothness that results in a slippery surface.

slipped and fell on the slick floor

glossy suggests a highly reflective surface.

photographs having a glossy finish

Examples of sleek in a Sentence

Adjective

the sleek lines of a sports car

a striking beauty with sleek raven hair

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Available in 19 vibrant shades, these matching luggage tags are constructed with a supple vegan leather material and sleek, adjustable metal hardware buckles. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024

Small Satin Tote with Crystal Handles The ideal holiday party accessory or New Year’s handbag, this satin tote comes in sleek black or ruby red. —Madison Yauger, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024

Verb

Amazon is the house-buying hack hardly anyone knows about, listing everything from Pinterest-worthy A-frame cabins to sleek, stackable shipping container houses. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024

Our favorites range from the ultra classic—simple, leather ballet flats with a sweet little bow—to sleek, slipper styles, and Mary Jane flats. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

alteration of slick entry 1

Verb

Middle English sleken, alteration of sliken — more at slick entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

sleek

1 of 2 verb

ˈslēk 

: to make or become sleek

sleek

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: smooth and glossy as if polished

sleek dark hair

b

: having a smooth healthy well-groomed look

sleek cattle grazing

2

: having a prosperous look or manner

sleekly adverb

sleekness noun