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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."

How to use slither

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo move in a smooth, wriggling, side-to-side way, like a snake.

Common pairings
slither through the grass slither away

Word forms

slithered past tense, slithers plural, slithers singular

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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."

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for slither

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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.".

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