What does slicking mean?
“Slicking” is an informal word for deceiving or cheating someone, especially by using persuasive language, a convincing performance, or misleading claims. It commonly appears in expressions such as “slicking customers,” where the deception is presented as smooth and effective but ethically suspect. The term can function as a gerund in continuous constructions, as in “They were slicking investors,” or as a noun naming the deceptive activity itself. Its negative connotation is stronger than that of neutral words such as “persuading” and is generally comparable to the disapproval associated with “cheating” or “swindling.” Although the related adjective “slick” can also mean stylishly polished, “slicking” most commonly focuses on the act of taking advantage of someone through deception rather than merely appearing sleek or sophisticated.
The act of deceiving, cheating, or swindling someone.
"The investigation revealed years of slicking by the company."
Informal and chiefly used in the sense of systematically or knowingly deceiving people.
To deceive, cheat, or swindle someone.
"The agent was slicking applicants about the cost of the policy."
This is the present participle of the informal verb “slick.”
The plural is grammatically possible but rare; the singular form and verbal constructions are much more common.
"The account described several separate slickings of prospective buyers."
To be “slicking” someone is to put on a smooth performance while quietly working a scam.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slicking come from?
The word belongs to the family of “slick,” whose older senses included smoothness and polished appearance before it came to describe cunning or persuasive behavior. “Slick” probably developed from Middle English and earlier Germanic forms associated with smoothness; “sleek” is a closely related cognate with a long history of denoting something smooth or glossy. The verbal meaning of “slick,” meaning to make something smooth, developed alongside the adjective, while the deceptive sense arose by association with smooth or polished conduct.
Related word forms
How slicking is actually used
This form is informal and generally carries a negative, disapproving connotation. It is most often used in the expression “slicking someone” and is less common than the full verb “slick”.
Easily confused with slicking
“Slicking” usually means deceiving or cheating someone, whereas “sleeking” means making something smooth, glossy, or elegant in appearance.