serpent
4 synonyms for serpent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A snake, especially a large or dangerous one, or a snake-like mythical creature.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use serpent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sea serpent
serpent in the garden
cunning as a serpent
Etymology
From Old French serpent, from Latin serpēns, present participle of serpere, "to creep, crawl."
Full origin of serpent →Frequently asked questions
What does “serpent” mean?
The word “serpent” means a snake, especially a large or dangerous one, or a snake-like mythical creature. In plain terms, a more literary or dramatic word for "snake," also used to describe a sly, untrustworthy person.
How do you pronounce “serpent”?
“Serpent” is pronounced SUR-puhnt (/ˈsɝpənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “serpent” in a sentence?
Here is “serpent” used in a sentence: “The garden was said to be guarded by a giant serpent.”
What is another word for “serpent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “serpent” include adder, edder and snake.
What part of speech is “serpent”?
“Serpent” is a noun.
Where does the word “serpent” come from?
The word “serpent” comes from Latin. From Old French serpent, from Latin serpēns, present participle of serpere, "to creep, crawl.".
Is “serpent” a common word?
“Serpent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “serpent” have?
“Serpent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a snake, especially a large or dangerous one, or a snake-like mythical creature.
