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Definition of slither

slither

/ˈslɪð.ər/
slith · er
Plural:slithers
•
Adjective:slithery
•
Past Simple:slithered
•
Past Participle:slithered
•
Present Participle:slithering
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slither Lexical Profile

slither Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To move smoothly over a surface with a twisting or oscillating motion (especially of a snake or reptile).

Example

"We watched a small green snake slither across the warm garden path."

2

To slide or slip unsteadily on a loose or slippery surface.

Example

"The hikers had to slither down the muddy embankment to reach the trail below."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for slither

• noun

1

A smooth, twisting, or sliding movement along a surface.

Example

"With a quick slither, the garter snake disappeared into the tall grass."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for slither

• Rhymes for slither

• Nearby Words

slipstream
slipup
slit
slither
slithery
slitlike
slitted

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'slidren' (to slide about loosely), a frequentative form of Old English 'slidan' (to slide). The shift from '-d-' to '-th-' before '-er' occurred regularly in late Middle English, as seen in 'father' and 'mother'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Slither. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/slither
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