serpent

noun

ser·​pent ˈsər-pənt 

1

a

archaic : a noxious creature that creeps, hisses, or stings

b

: snake

2

: devil sense 1

3

: a treacherous person

Synonyms

• snake
• viper

Examples of serpent in a Sentence

an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl

beware the temptations of the serpent

Recent Examples on the Web

Herpetologists have spent years trying to understand how bones are not only safe and healthy for the serpents, but how their biology manages to regulate when and how many bones to digest. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 July 2025

In 1945, a book about a family of trolls forced to find a new home—in a dark unknown forest with a terrifying serpent—after theirs is washed away, was quietly published in Finland to little fanfare. —Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

The heel measured 85mm — just over 3 inches — and the design was finished with a custom metallic buckle that mimics a serpent’s head. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 5 June 2025

Not every unwanted doorbell camera surprise is serpent related, of course. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin serpent-, serpens, from present participle of serpere to creep; akin to Greek herpein to creep, Sanskrit sarpati he creeps

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing serpent

• sea serpent

Kids Definition

serpent

noun

ser·​pent ˈsər-pənt 

: a usually large snake