Slice: meaning, definitions and examples

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slice

 

[ slaɪs ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

in cooking

A thin, flat piece of food cut from a larger portion.

Synonyms

cut, piece, portion.

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Word Description / Examples
slice

Use when referring to thin, flat pieces of something, often food like bread, cake, or meat.

  • He took a slice of bread from the loaf.
  • She served a slice of cake to each guest.
piece

Refers to an individual part of something larger. It can be used for both food and non-food items.

  • She gave him a piece of her mind.
  • Can I have a piece of chocolate?
portion

Used to describe a specific amount of food, typically one serving. Often used in the context of meals and nutrition.

  • The portion sizes at this restaurant are huge.
  • He ate a large portion of pasta for dinner.
cut

General term for dividing something with a sharp tool. It can refer to various types of incisions in different contexts.

  • Be careful not to cut yourself with the knife.
  • He made a precise cut in the fabric.

Examples of usage

  • She offered me a slice of cake.
  • He cut a slice of bread for his sandwich.
Context #2 | Noun

in mathematics

A portion of a circle bounded by two radii and the included arc.

Synonyms

sector, segment, wedge.

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Word Description / Examples
slice

Commonly used when referring to a thin piece of food, particularly bread, fruit, or cheese.

  • Can you give me a slice of bread, please?
  • She cut a slice of apple and offered it to him.
sector

Typically used in business, economics, and technology to describe a distinct part of a larger system, such as an industry segment or market.

  • The technology sector is booming this year.
  • He works in the healthcare sector.
wedge

Describes a piece of something that is triangular in shape, often used with food items like cheese or pie.

  • He cut a wedge of cheese and placed it on the platter.
  • She handed me a wedge of lemon for my tea.
segment

Used to refer to any part of a whole, often in the context of both physical objects and abstract ideas like a target audience or a section of a route.

  • She divided the orange into segments.
  • The company is trying to reach a new market segment.

Examples of usage

  • Calculate the area of the slice of the pizza.
  • The pie chart is divided into several slices.
Context #3 | Verb

informal

To hit or strike with a cutting motion.

Synonyms

carve, chop, cut.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
slice

Used when making thin, flat pieces of something, typically food like bread, meat, or vegetables.

  • He sliced the tomato for the salad
  • She prefers her bread sliced thickly
cut

This is a general term for making an opening or incision using a sharp tool. It can be applied in a wide range of situations from cutting hair to cutting paper.

  • She cut the ribbon to open the new store
  • He cut his finger while preparing dinner
carve

Often used when referring to cutting meat, particularly large pieces, such as a roast or turkey. It can also refer to shaping wood or stone.

  • He carved the Thanksgiving turkey with great skill
  • The artist carved a beautiful statue out of marble
chop

Refers to cutting something into large, usually rough, pieces. Commonly used in cooking for vegetables or meat.

  • She chopped the onions for the stew
  • He chopped the wood for the fireplace

Examples of usage

  • He sliced the ball into the net.
  • The chef expertly sliced the vegetables.

Translations

Translations of the word "slice" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fatia

🇮🇳 टुकड़ा

🇩🇪 Scheibe

🇮🇩 iris

🇺🇦 слайс

🇵🇱 plasterek

🇯🇵 スライス

🇫🇷 tranche

🇪🇸 rebanada

🇹🇷 dilim

🇰🇷 조각

🇸🇦 شريحة

🇨🇿 plátek

🇸🇰 plátok

🇨🇳 

🇸🇮 rezina

🇮🇸 sneið

🇰🇿 тілім

🇬🇪 ნაჭერი

🇦🇿 dilim

🇲🇽 rebanada

Etymology

The word 'slice' originated from the Old English word 'slysan', which means to cut or tear apart. Over time, the meaning of 'slice' has evolved to refer to a thin, flat piece of food or a portion of a circle. The verb form of 'slice' also developed to describe the action of cutting or striking with a slicing motion. 'Slice' is commonly used in various contexts, from cooking to mathematics.

See also: slicer, slicing.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,664 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.