sliver

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sliver" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a thin piece of something, especially food. For example, "She took a sliver of cheese and put it on her cracker."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Conservative party is now split three ways, and deeply so, between a tiny sliver of Pro-Europeans, a large group of Grudging Belongers and an increasing number of Better Off Outers.

The Guardian - Opinion

You would be mad to order anything but a dry buttery Manzanilla sherry, and it will most likely come accompanied by the most simple and delicious of tapas – a slice of crusty bread topped with mature Manchego and a sliver of local jamon.

The Guardian - Travel

But if you're desperate for a little sliver of stability from this climate policy fandango, then fear not.

The Guardian

One recent sliver of information has been more intriguing than most of the tittle-tattle, however.

The Guardian - Music

The practice of facadism emerged in the 1980s, when construction technology made it possible to retain a mere sliver of a frontage, and as the rise of the conservation movement increased pressure to preserve the historic streetscape – even if it didn't care much for what happened beyond the surface.

The Guardian - Arts

But each of those definitions of self multiplies the systemic violence attached to each of them – every extra sliver of the rainbow widens that gap between safety and danger.

The Guardian - Opinion

A senior Whitehall source said Osborne had fought against a "tiny sliver" of money going to some of the most vulnerable.

The Guardian

News coverage all too often reflects the priorities, concerns and prejudices of this tiny sliver of the British population.

The Guardian - Opinion

Far from being a straight-up sci-fi, it adds a dash of Scandi-noir, a pinch of thriller and the occasional sliver of black humour into the mix.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He had just scored a tiny, war-ravaged country's first goal at the World Cup, giving a sliver of lustre to the name of a nation that the planet's media had been depicting as entirely blood-drenched, but he was asked to show some decorum.

The Guardian - Sport

Will Warsi's resignation have helped to secure a respite for that beleaguered sliver of humanity or merely be a 24-hour drama for al-Jazeera?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sliver", consider the specific context to ensure the image of a thin, often sharp, piece aligns with your intended meaning. It's effective for describing small portions, narrow strips, or fragments.

Common error

Avoid using "sliver" to describe substantial pieces or portions. "Sliver" specifically implies a small, thin, and often sharp fragment. Using "piece", "slice", or "portion" would be more appropriate for larger quantities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sliver" is as a noun, denoting a small, thin piece or fragment. It can also function as a verb, meaning to cut or divide into thin pieces. Ludwig examples demonstrate its common usage in describing portions or fragments of various objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "sliver" functions primarily as a noun describing a small, thin piece or fragment, and occasionally as a verb meaning to cut into thin pieces. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct. Its use is very common, particularly within News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While the register leans towards neutral, it remains versatile across various communicative purposes, often highlighting the smallness or fragility of a piece or portion. Consider alternative phrases like "thin piece", "small fragment", or "narrow strip" to refine your message. Remember that "sliver" is typically reserved for genuinely small and thin pieces, avoiding its misuse for larger portions. The phrase "sliver of hope" is a common idiomatic expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thin piece

Emphasizes the thinness of the piece.

small fragment

Highlights the broken or detached nature of the piece.

narrow strip

Focuses on the elongated and slender form.

tiny portion

Stresses the small quantity or amount.

minute shard

Highlights the sharpness and fragility of the piece.

thin shaving

Implies the piece was removed by shaving or slicing.

small slice

Indicates a piece cut from something larger.

fine splinter

Specifies a small, sharp fragment of wood or similar material.

limited amount

Highlights the scarcity of quantity.

partial segment

Indicates that a part has been cut/detached from the totality of something.

FAQs

How to use "sliver" in a sentence?

You can use "sliver" to describe a thin piece of something, like "a sliver of moon" or "a sliver of cheese". It often implies a small and slender fragment.

What can I say instead of "sliver"?

You can use alternatives like "thin piece", "small fragment", or "narrow strip" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sliver of hope" or "slice of hope"?

"Sliver of hope" is more common and suggests a small, fragile amount of optimism. While "slice of hope" isn't incorrect, it's less frequently used in this idiomatic expression.

What's the difference between "sliver" and "splinter"?

While both refer to small pieces, "sliver" generally describes a thin, often sharp piece of any material, whereas "splinter" specifically refers to a fragment of wood.