What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
slick
Example
Be careful driving on the slick roads after the rain. [slick: adjective]
Example
He's a slick salesman who can convince anyone to buy his products. [slick: noun]
Example
The new phone has a slick design that is both functional and fashionable. [slick: adjective]
smooth
Example
The baby's skin was soft and smooth to the touch. [smooth: adjective]
Example
She handled the difficult situation with a smooth and professional demeanor. [smooth: adjective]
Example
The company's merger went smoothly without any major issues. [smoothly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smooth is more commonly used than slick in everyday language. Smooth is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while slick is less common and is often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between slick and smooth?
Both slick and smooth can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, slick may have a slightly more informal or colloquial tone due to its association with specific contexts, such as describing a salesperson's tactics or a wet road surface.
