slick down

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 unruly hair was slicked down with water, and as Jessamy introduced him to Miss Brindle his face assumed a cherubic innocence which would immediately have aroused the suspicions of anyone who knew him.

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 down” mean?

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

Is “slick down” formal or informal?

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