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

Renderings of the final product show sleek, modern architecture juxtaposed with the much shorter existing buildings in the immediate area. —Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024

Madewell has so many great options to choose from in its sale section, like the easy-to-pack Greta Ballet Flats, sleek Vernon Loafers, or the classic Reebok Vegan Club C Sneakers. —Alexis Benveniste, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024

Verb

Real estate here is no less impressive, ranging from Victorian mansions and traditional farmhouses to sleek, contemporary residences. —Emma Reynolds, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

But while Naoe can gracefully sleek through in shadow, Yasuke has difficulty performing a signature Assassin's Creed move, the Leap of Faith, jumping from a great height to land safely in a bale of hay, a pile of flowers, or some other cushioning agent. —EW.com, 19 Dec. 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