glide
GLYD
Glide (verb) means to move smoothly and effortlessly, without visible effort or friction. Example: “The skater glided across the ice.”
verb
1
To move smoothly and effortlessly, without visible effort or friction.
"The skater glided across the ice."
"The plane glided down onto the runway after its engines cut out."
noun
1
An instance of moving smoothly, or a flight made without engine power.
"The pilot managed a long glide to the nearest airfield."
How to use glide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move in a smooth, effortless way, as if floating or sliding.
Common pairings
glide across
glide through the air
come in to glide
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Word forms
- Plural
- glides
- Third person singular
- glides
- Past tense
- glided, glid, glode, glidden
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The skater _____ across the ice.
Etymology
From Old English glidan, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to slide" or "to move smoothly."
Related words
Rhymes for glide
See all rhymes for glide →Frequently asked questions
What does “glide” mean?
The word “glide” means to move smoothly and effortlessly, without visible effort or friction. In plain terms, to move in a smooth, effortless way, as if floating or sliding.
How do you pronounce “glide”?
“Glide” is pronounced GLYD (/ˈɡlaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “glide” in a sentence?
Here is “glide” used in a sentence: “The skater glided across the ice.”
What part of speech is “glide”?
Depending on how it is used, “glide” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “glide” come from?
The word “glide” comes from Old English. From Old English glidan, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to slide" or "to move smoothly.".
Is “glide” a common word?
“Glide” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “glide” have?
“Glide” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move smoothly and effortlessly, without visible effort or friction.
