slice
A slice is a thin, flat piece of food that has been cut from a larger portion, such as bread, cake, or meat. It is a common way to measure or serve individual portions of solid items.
Examples
3 of 5I usually have a slice of toast with butter for breakfast.
I usually have a slice of toast with butter for breakfast.
The host offered each guest a slice of the ceremonial cake.
The host offered each guest a slice of the ceremonial cake.
Grab me a slice of pizza while you're in the kitchen!
Grab me a slice of pizza while you're in the kitchen!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 's' in slice as the shape of a sharp knife sliding through a loaf of bread.
Quick Quiz
Would you like another ___ of lemon in your tea?
Correct!
The correct answer is: slice
Examples
I usually have a slice of toast with butter for breakfast.
everydayI usually have a slice of toast with butter for breakfast.
The host offered each guest a slice of the ceremonial cake.
formalThe host offered each guest a slice of the ceremonial cake.
Grab me a slice of pizza while you're in the kitchen!
informalGrab me a slice of pizza while you're in the kitchen!
Researchers examined a thin slice of the rock under a microscope.
academicResearchers examined a thin slice of the rock under a microscope.
Our firm aims to capture a larger slice of the European market this year.
businessOur firm aims to capture a larger slice of the European market this year.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a slice of the pie
a share of the money or profits
a slice of life
a realistic representation of everyday experiences
no matter how you slice it
regardless of how you look at the situation
Often Confused With
A piece can be any shape, while a slice is specifically thin and flat.
A slit is a long, narrow cut or opening in something, not a portion of it.
Usage Notes
Use 'slice' when the piece is flat and uniform, typically cut with a knife. It is most frequently used with food items like bread, lemon, or pizza.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'piece' for everything. While 'piece of bread' is correct, 'slice of bread' is more specific and natural.
Memory Tip
Think of the 's' in slice as the shape of a sharp knife sliding through a loaf of bread.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French word 'esclice', meaning a splinter or a fragment broken off.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cities, especially New York, ordering 'a slice' specifically refers to a single piece of pizza.
Quick Quiz
Would you like another ___ of lemon in your tea?
Correct!
The correct answer is: slice
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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