How to pronounce slippery
Say it like SLIP-uh-ree. Slippery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SLIP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce slippery. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SLIP
- uh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Slippery pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SLIPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of slippery
American and British speakers say slippery in essentially the same way: /ˈslɪpəri/ in the US and /ˈslɪpəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: SLIP-uh-ree.
What does slippery mean?
- causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide“slippery sidewalks”“a slippery bar of soap”
- not to be trusted“how extraordinarily slippery a liar the camera is”
Where does slippery come from?
From Middle English slipperie, an extended form ( + -y) of Middle English slipper, sliper (“slippery”), from Old English slipor (“slippery”), from Proto-Germanic *slipraz (“smooth, slippery”), equivalent to slip + -er.
Questions about saying slippery
How do you pronounce slippery?
Say SLIP-uh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈslɪpəri/. In British English it is /ˈslɪpəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in slippery?
Slippery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SLIP). Broken into parts: SLIP · uh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say slippery the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈslɪpəri/ and the British form is /ˈslɪpəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.