# slimy

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈslaɪ.mi/ · frequency rank #26,252

## Definitions
1. Of or pertaining to slime
2. Resembling, of the nature of, covered or daubed with, or abounding in slime
3. Friendly in a false, calculating way; underhanded; two-faced; sneaky; slick; smarmy.

## Etymology
From Middle English slymy, slimi, either derived from the Old English noun slīm or an unattested *slīmiġ, replacing Old English slipiġ (“slippy, slimy”). Equivalent to slime + -y. Cognate with Dutch slijmig, slijmerig (“slimy”), German schleimig (“slimy; smarmy”), Swedish slemmig (“slimy”).

## Easily confused with
- **sly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-sly)
- **slip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-slip)
- **swim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-swim)
- **slit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-slit)
- **slum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-slum)
- **spicy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-spicy)
- **slips** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-slips)
- **slump** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-slump)
- **sling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-sling)
- **slums** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-slums)
- **Swims** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-swims)
- **slits** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-slits)
- **spiky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-spiky)
- **spiny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-spiny)
- **Swamy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-swamy)
- **slinky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slimy-vs-slinky)
- **SIM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sim-vs-slimy)
- **slim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slim-vs-slimy)
- **slam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/slam-vs-slimy)
- **Sims** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sims-vs-slimy)

## Common misspellings (8)
`lsimy`, `silmy`, `slimmy`, `slimyy`, `sliym`, `sllimy`, `slmiy`, `sslimy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/slimy