slice
/slaɪs/
This term evokes a sharp, clean separation, whether physical or conceptual. When used for food, it implies a precise, thin cut that maintains the integrity of the original shape. In a financial or social context, it suggests a division of a whole into specific shares, often carrying a connotation of entitlement or competition for a piece of a limited resource. In sports, the word describes an unintended, curving trajectory caused by the angle of impact. When used as a verb for movement, it shifts from the idea of cutting to the idea of effortless penetration, suggesting a sleek, aerodynamic quality that minimizes resistance as an object passes through a medium.
Meanings
A thin, flat piece of food cut from a larger portion.
"She ate a slice of cake for dessert."
A thin, flat piece of a material cut from a larger whole.
"The geologist examined a thin slice of the rock."
A portion of something, such as time or a share of a total amount.
"Each department was given a slice of the budget."
Examples
She served a thick slice of apple pie.
Each partner expects a fair slice of the company earnings.
The golfer struggled with a consistent slice during the tournament.
Please slice the cucumber into thin rounds for the salad.
He managed to slice a small piece from the roast beef.
The sleek kayak sliced through the calm lake water.
Collocations & Compounds
slice of cake
Noun collocation: a thin piece of dessert
I would love a slice of cake with my coffee.
slice of the pie
Noun collocation: a share of a total amount of money or power
Everyone wanted a slice of the pie after the company went public.
slice the bread
Verb collocation: to cut a loaf into pieces
Please slice the bread for the sandwiches.
slice through the air
Verb collocation: to move rapidly and cleanly through space
The arrow seemed to slice through the air with incredible speed.
slice through the crowd
Verb collocation: to move quickly through a group of people
The celebrity managed to slice through the crowd to reach the car.
Phrasal Verbs
slice off
to cut a thin piece away from a larger mass
She sliced off a thin piece of the cold butter.
slice through
to cut across something or move rapidly through a medium
The sharp blade sliced through the fabric effortlessly.
slice away
to remove a portion by cutting
The surgeon carefully sliced away the damaged tissue.
Idioms & Sayings
a slice of the pie
a share of a total amount of money or power
Everyone wanted a slice of the pie after the company went public.
slice through the noise
to be clearly heard or noticed despite distractions
The new marketing campaign managed to slice through the noise of the competition.
Etymology
Derived from the Old French word eslyce, which originates from the Vulgar Latin slicia, meaning a slice or a piece cut off. It entered Middle English in the 14th century, initially referring specifically to the act of cutting food into thin pieces before expanding to describe the resulting piece itself and later evolving into specialized sporting terminology.