glide

1 of 2

verb

ˈglīd 

glided; gliding

intransitive verb

1

: to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly

swans gliding over the lake

2

: to go or pass imperceptibly

hours glided by

3

a

of an airplane : to descend gradually in controlled flight

b

: to fly in a glider

4

: to produce a glide (as in music or speech)

transitive verb

: to cause to glide

glide

2 of 2

noun

1

: a calm stretch of shallow water flowing smoothly

2

: the act or action of gliding

3

: portamento

4

a

: a less prominent vowel sound produced by the passing of the vocal organs to or from the articulatory position of a speech sound compare diphthong

b

: semivowel

5

: a device for facilitating movement of something

especially : a circular usually metal button attached to the bottom of furniture legs to provide a smooth surface

Synonyms

Verb

• bowl
• breeze
• brush
• coast
• cruise
• drift
• flow
• roll
• sail
• skim
• slide
• slip
• stream
• sweep
• whisk

Examples of glide in a Sentence

Verb

The swans glided over the surface of the lake.

We watched the skiers glide down the slope.

The pilot glided to a safe landing after the engine failed.

The pilot glided the plane to a safe landing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The silent video of a skinny dark-skinned boy appears to reveal a singular player gliding through packs of mere mortals with the ball glued to his feet. —Ryu Spaeth, Vulture, 4 June 2024

His miniatures were essential for adding detail to the sets, plus the various external and establishing shots like the Nostromo gliding through space. —Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 25 May 2024

Noun

Due to the threat of being hit by HIMARS, the Russians have begun to use S-300 and S-400 missile systems much less to fire at the Kharkiv region but glide bombs remain an issue. —Svitlana Vlasova, CNN, 9 June 2024

It can be worn across the chest or around the waist. $90 at Monos For the mom who picks hotels based on the spa This spa-like duo promotes full body blood circulation with each glide. —Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English glīdan; akin to Old High German glītan to glide

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing glide

• glide path
• glide slope

Kids Definition

glide

verb

ˈglīd

glided; gliding

1

: to move smoothly, silently, and effortlessly

2

: to descend gradually without enough engine power for level flight

glide in an airplane

glide noun