sliver

Everyday

1. A very thin, small piece cut or broken off something: "a sliver of cake", "a sliver of glass". tree →
2. A tiny amount: "a sliver of hope". tree →
3. In parts of the USA and Canada, a splinter in your skin. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, people ask for "just a sliver" of cake. In safety, slivers of broken glass are dangerous. In maths, a sliver can be a very small fraction of something. Phrases: a sliver of, sliver of moon.

Examples

• Can I have a tiny sliver of cake? tree →
• A sliver of glass was on the floor. tree →
• Only a sliver of the moon was showing. tree →
• I got a sliver of wood in my finger. tree →
• There was a sliver of light under the door. tree →
• She cut a sliver of cheese. tree →

Note

Countable: a sliver, slivers. Said "SLIV-er". Do not confuse with "silver" (a metal and colour): the letters are mixed. Safety: do not pick up broken glass; get an adult and wear shoes.