verb
C2
Proficient
slither
SLIH-thuh
Slither (verb) means to move smoothly across a surface with a side-to-side, gliding motion, the way a snake does. Example: “The snake slithered through the tall grass.”
verb
1
To move smoothly across a surface with a side-to-side, gliding motion, the way a snake does.
"The snake slithered through the tall grass."
"He slithered under the fence to retrieve the ball."
2
To slide or slip unsteadily, especially on a wet, muddy or loose surface.
"Her boots slithered on the icy steps and she grabbed the rail."
"The van slithered sideways on the wet leaves before the tyres found grip."
noun
1
A slithering movement; a smooth, sliding, side-to-side glide.
"There was a slither in the dry leaves, then silence."
How to use slither
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move in a smooth, wriggling, side-to-side way, like a snake.
Common pairings
slither through the grass
slither away
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like slither.
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
- slithers
- Third person singular
- slithers
- Past tense
- slithered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The snake _____ through the tall grass.
Etymology
An alteration of the older word "slidder," meaning "to slide or creep," ultimately from Old English roots shared with "slide."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for slither
See all rhymes for slither →Frequently asked questions
What does “slither” mean?
The word “slither” means to move smoothly across a surface with a side-to-side, gliding motion, the way a snake does. In plain terms, to move in a smooth, wriggling, side-to-side way, like a snake.
How do you pronounce “slither”?
“Slither” is pronounced SLIH-thuh (/ˈslɪðɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “slither” in a sentence?
Here is “slither” used in a sentence: “The snake slithered through the tall grass.”
What part of speech is “slither”?
“Slither” is a verb.
Where does the word “slither” come from?
The word “slither” comes from Old English. An alteration of the older word "slidder," meaning "to slide or creep," ultimately from Old English roots shared with "slide.".
What is a slither game?
A slither game is a free multiplayer browser game in which you steer a snake or worm around a shared arena, eat pellets to grow longer, and are knocked out when your head runs into another player's body. The name comes from slither.io, the game by Steve Howse that popularised the genre in 2016; the format itself grew out of agar.io, released in 2015. The same games are also called snake io games or worm io games.
What is the difference between slither and slide?
Both describe smooth movement across a surface, but slither adds a twisting, side-to-side motion — the way a snake moves — and often a hint of stealth or unsteadiness. A sledge slides down a hill; a snake slithers through grass, and a person slithers on ice when their feet keep slipping.
Example sentences
Sentences with a source are quoted from published work. Any opinions in them are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
In worm io games, you slither around a crowded arena, eating glowing pellets to grow longer.
The grass snake slithered across the warm path and vanished into the hedge.
The toddler slithered off the sofa and onto the rug, giggling.
Rain had turned the track to mud, and the riders slithered down the last bend one by one.
With one slow slither, the eel slipped out of the net and back into the river.
Every slither io game asks the same thing of you: keep steering, never stop, and never let another player's head touch yours while your own length trails behind you.
From
Slither IO Game
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include slither:
