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Slither Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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slither

[ˈslɪðər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

movement

to move smoothly and quietly in a twisting or sliding motion

Synonyms

glide, slide, slink.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
slither

Used to describe the movement of a snake or something that moves in a twisting, serpentine way.

  • The snake slithered through the grass
  • He slithered down the muddy hill
glide

Used to describe smooth, continuous movement, often with minimal effort, like ice skating or flying without flapping wings.

  • The bird glided gracefully across the sky
  • She glided across the dance floor
slide

Used to describe movement over a smooth surface, often downward or in a playful manner.

  • The children loved to slide down the hill
  • He slid the book across the table
slink

Used to describe moving in a stealthy or guilty manner, often to avoid being noticed; has a negative connotation.

  • The cat slinked through the shadows
  • He slinked away when no one was looking

Examples of usage

  • The snake slithered through the grass.
  • She watched the river snake and slither through the valley.
Context #2 | Noun

action

a smooth, gliding movement

Synonyms

glide, slide, slink.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
slither

Typically used to describe the way a snake or something snake-like moves, often in a winding and smooth manner.

  • The snake slithered through the grass
  • The slime slithered down the wall
glide

Used to describe smooth, continuous movement, usually with little to no effort. Often used for birds, skaters, or objects moving through air or water.

  • The eagle glided effortlessly across the sky
  • The boat glided across the calm lake
slide

Refers to moving easily and without interruption over a surface, usually in a controlled manner. Often used for objects or people moving on a smooth surface.

  • The children slid down the snowy hill
  • The glass slid across the table
slink

Often implies moving in a quiet, sneaky, or guilty manner. Can have a negative connotation.

  • He tried to slink away unnoticed
  • The cat slinked through the shadows

Examples of usage

  • The slither of the river was mesmerizing to watch.
  • The slither of the dancer across the stage was graceful.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Biology

  • Many reptiles, especially snakes, are experts at slithering to escape predators or catch prey.
  • Some lizards, like the smooth swimmer, use slithering to move across sandy terrain efficiently.
  • Certain species, such as the sidewinder rattlesnake, have adapted an unusual slithering technique to move across desert dunes.

Literature

  • In literature, slithering often represents stealth or danger, capturing readers' imaginations.
  • Famous characters, like the serpent in 'The Bible', embody the concept of slithering, connoting deception or cunning.
  • Children's stories often use slithering animals to teach lessons about being quiet or sneaky in a playful way.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and shows often depict villains or sneaky characters as 'slithering' into scenes to create tension.
  • The term 'slither' has been used in video games to describe mechanics where characters move stealthily.
  • In some fashion contexts, the term is used metaphorically to describe certain styles of movement or gait.

Psychology

  • Research suggests that slithering can evoke fear in some people, particularly in relation to snakes.
  • The sound or sight of slithering can trigger primal instincts related to avoidance and danger.
  • People often associate slithering with a sense of unpredictability, impacting their emotional responses.

Origin of 'slither'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'slither' comes from the Old Norse word 'slithra', which means to slide.
  • It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the movement of snakes and other animals.
  • Related words in other languages often hint at similar sliding motions, like the Dutch word 'glijden'.

The word 'slither' originated from the Middle English word 'sliddren' which means 'to slip or slide'. The verb form 'slither' has been used since the 14th century to describe smooth, gliding movements. The noun form of 'slither' developed later to represent the action of such movements. Over the years, 'slither' has been commonly associated with the graceful and silent movements of snakes, adding a mystical and mesmerizing quality to its usage.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,215 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.