slice

1 of 2

verb

ˈslīs 

sliced; slicing

transitive verb

1

: to cut with or as if with a knife

2

: to stir or spread with a slice

3

: to hit (a ball) so that a slice results

4

: interpret, construe

—used in phrases like any way you slice it

intransitive verb

1

: to slice something

2

: to move with a cutting action

the ship sliced through the waves

sliceable

ˈslī-sə-bəl 

adjective

slicer noun

slice

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a thin flat piece cut from something

b

: a wedge-shaped piece (as of pie or cake)

2

: a spatula for spreading paint or ink

3

: a serving knife with wedge-shaped blade

a fish slice

4

: a flight of a ball that deviates from a straight course in the direction of the dominant hand of the player propelling it

also : a ball following such a course compare hook

5

a

: portion, share

b

: segment, sample

Synonyms

Verb

• sliver
• splinter

Noun

• cross section
• sample
• sampler
• sampling
• selection

Examples of slice in a Sentence

Verb

She sliced the lemon in half.

He sliced open his finger while cleaning the fish.

The knife sliced through the cake easily.

Noun

thin slices of roast beef

The Fourth of July parade was a real slice of Americana.

He hit a slice into the right rough.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Just slice up pieces of lemon, place them in the garbage disposal, and turn it on. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2024

The rear of the car looks downright deadly after the addition of a razor-sharp central fin slicing the aforementioned transparent engine cover in half and two side blades capping the ends of the big wing, which itself has been raised higher. —New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024

Noun

There’s much more to see and do in Buellton and Santa Ynez, a slice of Americana that is also wine country. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

But the factory puts a slice of Morton into the homes of Americans nationwide, even if pie-eaters don’t know it. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sklicen, from Anglo-French esclicer to splinter, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German slīzan to tear apart — more at slit

Noun

Middle English sclise, slise, from Anglo-French esclice splinter, from esclicer

First Known Use

Verb

1551, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing slice

• any way you slice it
• a piece/slice/share of the pie
• a slice of life
• a slice of the cake
• fish slice
• no matter how you slice it
• pre-slice
• slice and dice
• slice off
• slice-of-life

Kids Definition

slice

1 of 2 noun

ˈslīs 

1

a

: a thin flat piece cut from something

a slice of bread

b

: a wedge-shaped piece (as of pie or cake)

2

: the flight of a ball curving to the right when hit by someone right-handed or to the left when hit by someone left-handed

slice

2 of 2 verb

sliced; slicing

1

a

: to cut with or as if with a knife

b

: to cut something into slices

2

: to hit a ball so that a slice results

slicer noun