slice
slice
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling
The IPA phonetic spelling for slice is /slaɪs/.
Syllable Breakdown
The word slice has only one syllable.
Syllable 1: /slaɪs/ (The sounds are /s/, /l/, /aɪ/, /s/)
Word Form Variations
The term slice can be used in the following word form variations:
Singular Noun: slice (e.g., a slice of bread)
Plural Noun: slices (e.g., three slices of ham)
Base Verb (Infinitive): to slice (e.g., to slice the cake)
Present Tense Verb (3rd Person Singular): slices (e.g., He slices the cheese)
Present Participle/Gerund: slicing (e.g., She is slicing vegetables; Slicing is an art)
Past Tense/Past Participle Verb: sliced (e.g., I sliced the apple; The sliced fruit was ready)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A relatively thin, broad piece that has been cut from a larger object, often food, such as a loaf, pie, or block. It specifically refers to the portion intended to be a single serving or unit.
Synonyms: piece, portion, segment, wedge, rasher
Antonyms: whole, entirety, bulk, mass
Definition 2: An allotted or individual part or share of something, such as a budget, profit, or general resource.
Synonyms: share, cut, portion, percentage, allotment
Antonyms: total, aggregate, sum, all
Verb
Definition 1: To cut (something) into thin, flat pieces using a sharp blade.
Synonyms: cut, carve, pare, shave (off), sever
Antonyms: join, combine, mend, unite, whole (up)
Definition 2: (In sports, particularly golf or tennis) To hit a ball so that it spins and deviates sharply, often unintentionally, away from the intended line of flight.
Synonyms: hook, shank, mishit, veer (off)
Antonyms: drive, strike (true), hit (straight)
Examples of Use
Books (Noun & Verb)
"He sliced the tomatoes thinly for the salad, their bright red contrasting with the pale green of the lettuce." (Example based on common cooking instruction in cookbooks)
"Every family’s history is a slice of the larger human experience, unique yet connected to the whole." (Use as a metaphor for a portion/part)
Newspapers and Online Publications (Noun & Verb)
"The Federal Reserve announced it would take another slice off its asset purchases this month as part of its ongoing efforts to curb inflation." (Use as a noun meaning 'portion' or 'reduction')
"An op-ed in The New York Times argued that the documentary offered a harrowing slice of life in war-torn regions." (Use as a noun meaning 'portion/view/segment')
"Rookie investor attempts to slice through the complex regulatory environment of cryptocurrency trading." (Use as a verb meaning 'cut through' or 'navigate sharply')
Entertainment and Platforms (Noun & Verb)
Film/TV Dialogue: A character in a crime drama might say, "We need to figure out who got the biggest slice of the profits from that deal." (Use as a noun meaning 'share')
Video Game Review: "The level design allows players to slice and dice their enemies with satisfying precision, making the combat system feel fluid and dynamic." (Use as a verb phrase)
Recipe Blog: "Finish the presentation by adding a single slice of lemon zest as a garnish." (Use as a noun referring to a thin piece)
Music Critique: "The new track is a perfect slice of 80s synth-pop, complete with soaring choruses and driving basslines." (Use as a noun meaning 'representation' or 'example')
General Public Discourse (Noun & Verb)
Sports Commentary (Golf): "The veteran golfer missed the green on the 18th hole, having badly sliced his drive into the rough." (Use as a verb in the context of hitting a golf ball)
Casual Conversation: "Can someone grab me a slice of that pepperoni pizza before it’s all gone?" (Use as a noun for a piece of food)
Political Discussion: "The new tax bill is designed to give the wealthiest few a larger slice of the national income." (Use as a noun meaning 'share')
10 Famous Quotes Using Slice
"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake." (Alfred Hitchcock)
"No matter how thin you slice it, it is still baloney." (Alfred E. Smith)
"There are two ways to slice easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking." (Alfred Korzybski)
"He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food." (Raymond Chandler)
"I am not interested in slice of life, what I want is a slice of the imagination." (Carlos Fuentes)
"How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it." (Shel Silverstein)
"A 25% slice of something is better than 100% slice of nothing." ("Fast" Eddie Felson, The Hustler, 1961)
"Remember a few years ago when Congress declared that the sauce on a slice of pizza should count as a vegetable in school lunches? You don't have to be a nutritionist to know that this doesn't make much sense." (Michelle Obama)
"Pessimism is as American as apple pie—frozen apple pie with a slice of processed cheese." (George Will)
"A picture can express a universal humanism, or simply reveal a delicate and poignant truth by exposing a slice of life that might otherwise pass unnoticed." (Steve McCurry)
Etymology
The history of the word slice tells a story of splitting and fragments.
Here is the etymology in simple terms:
Ancient Roots (Proto-Germanic): The word's earliest origins trace back to a very old Germanic root, slītan* which meant something like "to split" or "to tear apart." This gives the word its core meaning of separating something.
Journey through French (Old French): The word didn't come straight into English from its ancient root. It was adopted from Old French (the language spoken in France around the Middle Ages). The Old French word was esclice, which was a noun meaning a "splinter" or "broken piece of wood." This came from the verb esclicier, meaning "to splinter" or "to shatter."
Arrival in English (Middle English): The word arrived in English during the Middle English period (around the 1300s-1400s) as s(c)lice.
First Known Use and Meaning
Noun Use: The first known use of the noun slice was around before 1400 (Middle English). At this time, its initial meaning was closer to its French origin: "a splinter" or "a fragment," often specifically referring to a splinter of wood. The meaning of a "thin, flat piece cut from food" (like a slice of bread) followed soon after in the 15th century.
Verb Use: The verb to slice (meaning "to cut into thin pieces") also appeared in Middle English, with the earliest evidence dating to before 1475. This verb use, like the noun, came from the Old French verb meaning "to splinter."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Slice
A slice of the pie (or cake/action): A share of the profits, benefits, or desirable activity.
Example: Everyone wants a slice of the pie when a new business is successful.
A slice of life: A realistic representation of everyday experience in art, literature, or film.
Example: The director's new movie is a powerful slice of life from a small rural town.
To slice and dice: To break down and analyze information or data in various ways for detailed examination. (Often used in business/analytics.)
Example: We need to slice and dice the sales figures to understand the regional trends.
The greatest slice since: An original phrase used to express that something is an exceptional or impressive example of its kind.
Example: That goal was the greatest slice since sliced bread!
A big slice: A large portion or share of something.
Example: The CEO took a big slice of the bonus pool.
To slice through: To move quickly and cleanly through something, often used figuratively for cutting through red tape or obstacles.
Example: The new policy aims to slice through the bureaucracy.
Slicing the air: Moving or cutting through the air, often used to describe a fast or precise movement.
Example: The hawk's wings were slicing the air as it descended.
To carve out a niche (Synonym effect): To create a special, unique place or role for oneself (using carve, a synonym for slice).
Example: She managed to carve out a niche for herself in the competitive market.
A good chunk (Synonym effect): A significant portion or amount.
Example: He spent a good chunk of his savings on the down payment.
A segment of the market (Synonym effect): A distinct group of customers within a larger market (using segment, a synonym for slice).
Example: They are focusing on capturing a segment of the market that values sustainability.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of slice from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
