What is slice? Pronunciation and usage in English

slice means . Learn how to pronounce and use slice through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of slice

slicenoun

/slʌɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of slice

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "slice" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and how to put them together:

1. Syllables:

The word "slice" has two syllables:

  • slice (pronounced with a short "i" sound)
  • -age (pronounced with an "ay" sound)

2. Phonetics (Sounds):

  • "slice" (short "i"): This is the trickiest part! It's pronounced like the word "sit" but without the "t" at the end. So, it sounds like /slaɪs/. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
  • "-age": This is a simple "ay" sound, like in the word "say" or "day." So, it sounds like /eɪ/ .

3. Putting it Together:

Therefore, the whole word is pronounced: /slaɪs/ (/slaɪs/)

Here's a simplified way to think about it:

  • "Sl" - Like in "slip"
  • "i" - As in "sit" (but shorter)
  • "ce" - Like "s" + "ee"
  • "-age" - Say "ay"

Resources for Hearing it:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of words with similar sounds?
  • Help you practice saying "slice" aloud?

Usage and examples with the word slice in English

Let's break down how to use the word "slice" in English. It’s a wonderfully versatile word with many different meanings! Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. Literal – A Physical Piece:

  • Definition: A portion or piece cut from a larger object, like food.
  • Examples:
    • “I took a slice of pizza.” (Referring to a piece of pizza)
    • “She cut the cake into slices.” (Multiple pieces of cake)
    • “He’s got a slice of watermelon.” (A section of watermelon)
    • “The butcher gave me a slice of ham.”

2. Time – A Portion of Time:

  • Definition: A segment or period of time.
  • Examples:
    • “I only have a slice of time to finish this report.” (A small portion of time)
    • “He lived through a difficult slice of his life.” (A particular period of hardship)
    • “This chapter covers a slice of the 1980s.” (A segment of the 1980s)

3. A Thin Layer or Covering:

  • Definition: A thin, flat piece of something (can be metaphorical).
  • Examples:
    • “He wore a slice of silver on his ring.” (A thin band of silver)
    • “She had a slice of good luck.” (A small amount of luck)
    • “The news cut through the happy slice of optimism.” (A negative element disrupting a positive mood)

4. In Processes & Systems – A Part / Segment:

  • Definition: A division or component within a larger system or process.
  • Examples:
    • “The company is trying to carve out a slice of the market.” (A portion of the market share)
    • “He’s just a small slice of the pie in that organization.” (A small part of a larger group/company)
    • “We need to analyze each slice of the data.” (Individual pieces of information)

5. As a Verb (to cut into slices):

  • Definition: To cut something into slices.
  • Examples:
    • “Please slice the tomatoes thinly.”
    • “She sliced the bread for the sandwiches.”

Phrases Using "Slice":

  • Slice of life: A typical or representative segment of everyday life. (e.g., "This movie is a slice of British life.")
  • Slice and dice: To break down a complex problem into smaller, manageable parts; to analyze thoroughly. (e.g., "Let's slice and dice this project to determine the best approach.")
  • Slice of heaven: A place or experience that is incredibly beautiful or enjoyable.

Tips for Using "Slice" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "slice" depends entirely on the context.
  • Consider the noun or verb form: It can be a noun (a piece) or a verb (to cut).

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "slice"? (e.g., “I’m writing a story,” “I’m having trouble using it in a sentence,” “I’m studying for a test”)

Synonyms for the word slice

Idioms of the word slice

a slice/piece of the action
(informal)a share or role in an interesting or exciting activity, especially one that makes money
  • Foreign firms will all want a slice of the action if the new airport goes ahead.
a slice of life
a film, play or book that gives a very realistic view of ordinary life
  • This drama provides a slice of life in 1950s Connecticut.
a slice/piece/share of the pie
a share of the available money or benefits that you believe you have a right to
  • The company is demanding a larger slice of the corporate pie.

Practice with vocabulary slice

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Could you please cut a thin ______ of lemon for the water?
  2. The investigative report provided a crucial ______ of information that helped solve the case.
  3. The market analysis identified a growing ______ of consumers interested in sustainable products.
  4. Each participant received a small ______ of the profits after the successful launch of the startup.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes a thin, flat piece of food cut from a larger whole? A) Chunk B) Lump C) Slice D) Wedge

  2. Which of the following words can describe a small, defined portion of something, either tangible or abstract? A) Share B) Bit C) Slice D) Segment

  3. When preparing a presentation, you might want to ______ the complex data into more manageable sections. A) Break down B) Divide C) Slice D) Separate

  4. To ensure a balanced workload, the manager decided to ______ the responsibilities equally among the team members. A) Disperse B) Distribute C) Allocate D) Split

  5. The marketing team isolated a specific ______ of the population as their primary target demographic. A) Fragment B) Portion C) Segment D) Remnant

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government needs to provide a more equitable distribution of opportunities. Rewrite using "slice":

  2. The chef skillfully cut the vegetables into thin pieces. Rewrite using a form of "slice":

  3. Each department will receive a specific allocation of the budget for the upcoming quarter. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "slice"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. slice
  2. slice
  3. segment
  4. share

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) Slice
  2. A) Share, B) Bit, C) Slice, D) Segment
  3. A) Break down, B) Divide, C) Slice, D) Separate
  4. B) Distribute, C) Allocate, D) Split
  5. B) Portion, C) Segment

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government needs to ensure every citizen gets a more equitable slice of the opportunities.
  2. The chef skillfully sliced the vegetables thinly.
  3. Each department will receive a specific portion of the budget for the upcoming quarter.

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