noun
Uncommon
serpent
SUR-puhnt
Serpent (noun) means a snake, especially a large or dangerous one, or a snake-like mythical creature. Example: “The garden was said to be guarded by a giant serpent.”
noun
1
A snake, especially a large or dangerous one, or a snake-like mythical creature.
"The garden was said to be guarded by a giant serpent."
"A stone serpent coiled around the base of the fountain."
2
A cunning or treacherous person.
"He turned out to be a serpent, betraying everyone who trusted him."
How to use serpent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA more literary or dramatic word for "snake," also used to describe a sly, untrustworthy person.
Common pairings
sea serpent
serpent in the garden
cunning as a serpent
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like serpent.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- serpents
- Third person singular
- serpents
- Past tense
- serpented
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The garden was said to be guarded by a giant _____.
Etymology
From Old French serpent, from Latin serpēns, present participle of serpere, "to creep, crawl."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
