sliver

1 of 2

noun

sliv·​er ˈsli-vər How to pronounce sliver (audio)
sense 2 is usually ˈslī-
Synonyms of slivernext
1
a
: a long slender piece cut or torn off : splinter
b
: a small and narrow portion
a sliver of land
c
: particle, scrap
not a sliver of evidence
2
: an untwisted strand or rope of textile fiber produced by a carding or combing machine and ready for drawing, roving, or spinning

sliver

2 of 2

verb

sliv·​er ˈsli-vər How to pronounce sliver (audio)
slivered; slivering ˈsli-və-riŋ How to pronounce sliver (audio)
ˈsliv-riŋ

transitive verb

: to cut into slivers : splinter

intransitive verb

: to become split into slivers

Examples of sliver in a Sentence

Noun I got a sliver of wood stuck in my finger. Verb carefully slivered the rattan stems into strips for basketry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Just a five-minute walk from the loading zone is the entrance to the fissure, an unassuming sliver of water that snakes between the dark volcanic rocks. Carinne Geil Botta, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026 That means just a thing silver sliver of Earth's only natural satellite will be illuminated as most of its near-facing side faces away from our planet, NASA explains. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Verb
After combining the delicious chicken salad mixture, top it with water chestnuts, slivered almonds, and crisp potato chips. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 May 2026 The business executive went viral in February after posting his video review of the Big Arch, a hefty burger packed with two quarter-pound patties, three slices of cheese and crispy onions — along with the usual pickles, slivered onions and lettuce. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sliver

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English slivere, from sliven to slice off, from Old English -slīfan; akin to Old English -slǣfan to cut

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1608, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sliver was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sliver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sliver. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

sliver

1 of 2 noun
sliv·​er ˈsliv-ər How to pronounce sliver (audio)
1
: a long slender piece cut or torn off : splinter
2
: a small and narrow portion
a sliver of pie

sliver

2 of 2 verb
slivered; slivering
ˈsliv-(ə-)riŋ
: to cut or form into slivers : splinter

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