slimy

Everyday

1. Covered with slime: thick, wet, slippery stuff, like on a snail or a slug. tree →
2. Of a person: too friendly in a false way to get what they want (informal). tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, slugs, snails and frogs feel slimy; the slime helps them move and keeps their skin wet. In everyday life, rotting food or a pond can be slimy. In stories, villains can be slimy. Phrases: slimy slug, slimy rocks.

Examples

• The slug left a slimy trail. tree →
• Be careful, the rocks are slimy and slippery. tree →
• Frogs feel cool and slimy. tree →
• The old lettuce had gone slimy. tree →
• Seaweed is slimy when it is wet. tree →
• In the story, the slimy salesman lied to everyone. tree →
• Fish are slimy to touch. tree →
• The branches were long slimy arms, with fingers like flexible worms, moving limb after limb from the root to the top. tree →

Note

Comparative: slimier, slimiest. Myth: snakes are not slimy; they have dry scales. Safety: slimy rocks and paths are slippery, so walk carefully; slimy food has gone bad, so do not eat it. Wash your hands after touching slimy creatures.