slimy

/ˈslaɪmi/ (bre, ipa) · [slˈaɪmi] /ˈslaɪmi/ (ame, ipa) · [slˈaɪmi] /ˈslī-mē/ (ame, mw)

slimy — adjective

  • slimypositive
  • slimiercomparative
  • slimiestsuperlative

1. covered with or having the feel of a wet, slippery, and unpleasant substance — l

1.形容詞B2
釋義

covered with or having the feel of a wet, slippery, and unpleasant substance — like the coating on a fish, a snail, or the inside of a dirty pond.

例句

Eri found a slimy film on the water in the fish tank.

attributive: slimy + noun describing a coating

The path felt slimy underfoot after the morning rain.

predicative: feel + slimy

同義詞
  • slippery

    focuses on lack of grip; slimy adds the idea of wet, sticky filth

  • greasy

    oily rather than wet; slime is watery, grease is fatty

  • viscous

    formal or technical; describes thickness of liquid, not dirtiness

反義詞
  • clean

    free of dirt or unwanted coating

  • dry

    lacking moisture, the opposite feel

文法句型

be + slimy

slimy + noun

用法筆記

This sense describes a physical quality. The thing itself is sticky, wet, and usually dirty — not just slippery like ice.

常見錯誤

❌The floor was slimy after I mopped it.' (if it's just wet)
✅The floor was slimy after I mopped it with dirty water and never dried it.
💡slimy implies an unpleasant, dirty layer, not ordinary wetness.

2. acting overly friendly or polite so that people feel the warmth is fake and find

2.形容詞C1
釋義

acting overly friendly or polite so that people feel the warmth is fake and find it unpleasant.

例句

The salesman's slimy smile made Maja walk out of the shop.

attributive: describes a dishonest smile

Felipe stopped talking to his colleague because of his slimy attitude.

attributive: slimy + noun (attitude)

同義詞
  • smarmy

    British English; very similar meaning but slightly stronger on excessive politeness

  • oily

    more old-fashioned; suggests unnervingly smooth and flattering behaviour

  • slick

    can be positive (smoothly efficient) or negative (dishonestly smooth); slimy is always negative

  • insincere

    broader and more formal; slimy is more vivid and disapproving

反義詞

文法句型

slimy + noun (person, smile, manner, compliment)

用法筆記

This sense is always negative and describes a person's character or behaviour. It is informal and often used in everyday criticism, not in formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌He gave a slimy speech about the new policy.' (if the speech was just boring)
✅He gave a slimy speech full of fake praise for the boss.
💡slimy means insincerely flattering, not simply dull.