snake
8 synonyms for snake, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A long, legless reptile that moves by slithering, some species of which are venomous.
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 snake
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
snake through
a snake in the grass
snake a drain
Etymology
From Old English snaca, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to creep" or "to slide."
Full origin of snake →Frequently asked questions
What does “snake” mean?
The word “snake” means a long, legless reptile that moves by slithering, some species of which are venomous. In plain terms, the reptile, or figuratively, someone sneaky and disloyal; also used as a verb for winding paths or unclogging pipes.
How do you pronounce “snake”?
“Snake” is pronounced snayk (/sneɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “snake” in a sentence?
Here is “snake” used in a sentence: “A snake slid silently through the grass.”
What part of speech is “snake”?
Depending on how it is used, “snake” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “snake” come from?
The word “snake” comes from Old English. From Old English snaca, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to creep" or "to slide.".
Is “snake” a common word?
“Snake” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “snake” have?
“Snake” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, legless reptile that moves by slithering, some species of which are venomous.
What is the difference between a snake and a serpent?
Both refer to the same kind of long, legless reptile. 'Snake' is the ordinary everyday word, while 'serpent' is more formal, literary, or symbolic, often used in myth and religious texts.
Why is a deceitful person called a snake?
The informal sense draws on the snake's reputation for striking unexpectedly. Calling someone 'a snake' means they are treacherous or untrustworthy, especially someone who betrays a friend, sometimes phrased as 'a snake in the grass.'
What is the difference between a snake and a worm?
A snake is a reptile with a backbone and scales, and some species are venomous. A worm is a soft-bodied invertebrate with no backbone; despite both being long and legless, they are biologically very different.
What is the difference between a snake and a lizard?
Snakes are legless reptiles that move by slithering. Most lizards have legs, which snakes lack, even though both belong to the reptile family.
What is the snake game?
Snake is a video game in which you steer a line that grows longer each time it eats, and the game ends if you crash into a wall or your own tail. The idea began with the 1976 arcade game Blockade, and it became famous when Nokia put Snake on its mobile phones in the late 1990s. Newer multiplayer versions, such as slither.io, move the game into a shared online arena with dozens of players.
What is a multiplayer snake game?
It is an online version of Snake in which many players share one arena at the same time. Instead of turning on a grid, you steer freely, grow by eating, and are knocked out when your head touches another player's body — which is why cutting in front of other snakes matters more than being the biggest.
