noun

serpent

SUR-puhnt

noun

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."

A cunning or treacherous person.

"He turned out to be a serpent, betraying everyone who trusted him."

How to Use Serpent

Learner’s notes

In 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

serpented past tense, serpents plural, serpents singular

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The garden was said to be guarded by a giant _____.

From Old French serpent, from Latin serpēns, present participle of serpere, "to creep, crawl."

adder edder snake

snake penis adder

adder edder snake penis