slice
/slaɪs/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A slice is a thin piece cut from a larger object, especially food like bread, cake, or meat. It can also mean a thin part of something larger.
- She ate a slice of cake.
- Add two slices of bread.
- A slice of sunlight came through the window.
verb
To slice something means to cut it into thin pieces with a knife or similar tool. It can also mean to cut through something smoothly.
- Please slice the tomatoes.
- He sliced the bread carefully.
- The boat sliced through the water.
Adinary Nuance
Slice is more specific than piece. A slice is usually thin and cut from a larger whole, often food. As a verb, slice is neater and more exact than cut. Use cut for many kinds of cutting, but slice when the pieces are thin or smooth.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- lát
- Spanish
- rebanada
- Chinese
- 切片
- Japanese
- スライス
- Korean
- 조각
Etymology
Slice comes from Old French eslisse, meaning a thin strip or splinter. It entered English in the Middle Ages and kept the idea of a thin cut piece.
Common phrases
a slice of breada slice of cakeslice of lifeslice through
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is slice more common for food or for general things?
- It is very common for food, especially bread, cake, fruit, and meat. It can also describe thin parts of other things.
- What is the difference between slice and piece?
- A slice is usually thin and cut from something larger. A piece is more general and can be any size or shape.
- Is slice formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in everyday English. You can use it in speaking, writing, and business contexts.
- Can I say slice of cake in British and American English?
- Yes. It is natural in both British and American English.