slither

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   To move forward with a smooth twisting motion, pressing close to a surface like a snake.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by across, through, down, or out of: slither across the floor.

   Patterns

   • slither across something
   • slither through something
   • slither down something

   A green snake slithered across the warm path and vanished into the grass.

   He dropped the heavy bag and heard it slither down the stairs.

2. 2verbintransitivefigurative

   To move in an uncontrolled sliding or twisting way because the ground is slippery or steep.

   Grammar: Describes awkward movement rather than a snake-like action: slither on ice, not slither something on ice.

   Patterns

   • slither on something
   • slither out of somewhere
   • slither toward someone

   She lost her footing and slithered across the icy pavement.

   The child slithered out from under the table with dust on his knees.

Word forms

Common combinations

slither across the floor

Something small slithered across the kitchen floor at midnight.

slither through the grass

The snake slithered through the grass without making a sound.

slither down a slope

Loose stones slithered down the slope after the rain.

slither out of sight

The lizard froze, then slithered out of sight behind a pot.

Synonyms and how they differ

slide

General smooth movement; slither adds a twisting, snake-like path.

glide

Smooth and often graceful; slither suggests lower, closer contact with a surface.

slink

Move secretly or guiltily; slither describes motion shape, not secrecy.

Opposites

Word family

slithery adjective

Smooth, slippery, or twisting in movement.

Commonly confused: slither or slide? slither or slink?

Practice

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