slick back

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To make hair flat by putting oil, water, etc. on it.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

His hair was slicked back, plastered down with gel.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “slick back” mean?

To make hair flat by putting oil, water, etc. on it.

Is “slick back” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.