snail
snayl
Snail (noun) means a small, slow-moving mollusc with a spiral shell that it carries on its back. Example: “After the rain, snails were crawling all over the garden path.”
noun
1
A small, slow-moving mollusc with a spiral shell that it carries on its back.
"After the rain, snails were crawling all over the garden path."
2
Informally, a very slow-moving person.
"Hurry up, you snail — we're going to be late!"
verb
1
To move at a very slow pace.
"Traffic snailed along the motorway during rush hour."
How to use snail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe shelled garden creature, or, informally, anyone or anything moving painfully slowly.
Common pairings
snail's pace
move at a snail's pace
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like snail.
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
- snails
- Third person singular
- snails
- Past tense
- snailed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After the rain, _____ were crawling all over the garden path.
Etymology
From Old English snægl, from a Proto-Germanic root related to "sneak" and "creep."
Related words
Rhymes for snail
See all rhymes for snail →Frequently asked questions
What does “snail” mean?
The word “snail” means a small, slow-moving mollusc with a spiral shell that it carries on its back. In plain terms, the shelled garden creature, or, informally, anyone or anything moving painfully slowly.
How do you pronounce “snail”?
“Snail” is pronounced snayl (/sneɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “snail” in a sentence?
Here is “snail” used in a sentence: “After the rain, snails were crawling all over the garden path.”
What part of speech is “snail”?
Depending on how it is used, “snail” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “snail” come from?
The word “snail” comes from Old English. From Old English snægl, from a Proto-Germanic root related to "sneak" and "creep.".
Is “snail” a common word?
“Snail” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “snail” have?
“Snail” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, slow-moving mollusc with a spiral shell that it carries on its back.
What is the difference between a snail and a slug?
A snail is a mollusc that carries a spiral shell on its back, while a slug is a similar mollusc without a visible shell.
Why is snail used to describe a slow person?
Because snails are known for moving at a very slow pace, the word is used informally to describe a person who moves or acts slowly.
Is snail used as a verb?
Yes, snail can be used as a verb meaning to move at a very slow pace, as in "the traffic snailed along the highway."
