Definition

1. Noun:

   • Any thick, viscous matter: A soft, moist, slippery, and often unpleasant substance, typically of a muddy or sticky consistency.

2. Verb:

   • To cover or stain with slime: To coat or smear something with a thick, viscous, and often dirty or unpleasant substance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The bottom of the pond was covered in green slime.
  • He slipped on a patch of slime on the factory floor.

• Verb:

  • The snail slimed the glass wall of the terrarium as it moved.
  • The fish was slimed with algae from the stagnant water.

Advanced Usage

• "Slime mold": A type of organism, once classified as a fungus, that can exist as single cells or aggregate into a multicellular, slimy mass.

  • We studied the life cycle of a slime mold in biology class.

• Figurative use (Verb): To treat someone with excessive, insincere flattery or obsequiousness (informal, often pejorative).

  • The politician was accused of sliming his way into the mayor's favor.

Variants and Related Words

• Slimy (adjective): Covered with or resembling slime; also used figuratively to describe a person who is unpleasantly ingratiating or dishonest.

  • The rocks were slimy with seaweed.
  • He gave me a slimy smile.

• Sliminess (noun): The quality or state of being slimy.

Synonyms

• Noun: Ooze, muck, goo, gunk, mire, sludge.
• Verb: Smear, coat, daub.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(This word does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. The verb is typically used transitively.)

Related Idioms

• No common idioms directly feature the word "slime." The figurative verb usage ("to slime someone") can be considered an informal idiom meaning to malign or smear someone's reputation.

Noun

1. any thick, viscous matter

Verb

1. cover or stain with slime
   • The snake slimed his victim