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

The former Pussycat Doll wore her dark tresses in a sleek updo, while her makeup consisted of rosy blush and winged eyeliner. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024

KitchenAid has also ventured into the air fryer oven corner of the kitchen gadget space with this sleek countertop model that can bake, broil, reheat, roast, toast, and more. —Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Over the past few decades, PCs have evolved from large clunky devices to sleek powerhouses. —George Toh, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

From chunky moto boots to sleek thigh-highs, the shoe style — much like a good coat — is a wardrobe staple that can make an outfit. —Vivien Lee, refinery29.com, 29 Sep. 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