glide

verb

\ ˈglīd

glided; gliding

Definition of glide

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly swans gliding over the lake

2 : to go or pass imperceptibly hours glided by

3a 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

noun

Definition of glide (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a calm stretch of shallow water flowing smoothly

2 : the act or action of gliding

3 : portamento

4a : 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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about glide

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Synonyms & Antonyms for glide

Synonyms: Verb

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

Antonyms: Verb

flounder, struggle

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

So the pressure of a thin blade on ice cannot explain why skates glide. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "The surprising science of why ice is so slippery," 31 Jan. 2019 In countries like Botswana, where mokoro (dugout canoe) safaris are popular, hippos, who are known to be very aggressive and easily agitated, can pose an especially dangerous threat to travelers who glide past their feeding and breeding grounds. — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, "Tourist Killed by Hippo Near Kenya's Lake Naivasha," 13 Aug. 2018 Sully’’ Sullenberger, who glided his US Airways plane to safety in New York’s Hudson River in 2009. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "‘She has nerves of steel.’ Pilot who calmly landed damaged plane once flew fighter jets," 18 Apr. 2018 Our top tip: Apply right after your skincare regimen so the formula glides on more easily. — Mia Adorante, Town & Country, "5 Expert Tips for Younger Looking Eyes," 12 Mar. 2019 High number one: Sipping good Italian espresso on an upper deck as the boat glides through the Philippine region of Coron, passing Listerine-blue bays dotted with traditional bangka boats, with their double outriggers. — Christopher Bagley, Condé Nast Traveler, "Sailing the South China Sea Is the Best Way to See Southeast Asia," 15 Nov. 2018 It's now flown twelve missions demonstrating its ability to glide—in some cases autonomously—to a landing zone with GPS precision. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Marines’ Plywood Supply Drone Is Undergoing Flight Tests," 20 Mar. 2019 After gliding through years where stocks mostly just rose, a generation of investors last year suddenly confronted a hard financial truth: Stocks are risky and can plunge at any moment. — Stan Choe, The Seattle Times, "For young investors, jumpy market presents first big test," 28 Jan. 2019 Start in the perfect plank position with gliding discs underneath the balls of your feet. — Michelle Ward Trainor, PEOPLE.com, "Karlie Kloss Does This Workout to Get Runway Ready — Try It!," 14 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

On Game of Thrones, dragon riding consists of mostly gentle glides and loops. — William Gurstelle, Popular Mechanics, "'Game of Thrones' Science: Could a Person Ride a Dragon?," 15 Apr. 2019 The majority of mascara formulas often rely on beeswax, which helps with glide and shine. — Glamour, "5 Women Try Kat Von D’s New Vegan Mascara," 19 Apr. 2019 The brand claims it’s waterproof and lasts 24 hours, and has an-easy glide formula and tip. — Glamour, "Too Faced's New Better Than Sex Eyeliner Lives Up to the Name," 3 Apr. 2019 Under the boost-glide concept, the missile stops short of delivering its payload into space, instead aiming the warhead into a depressed trajectory. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Putin’s New Missiles Are Having Decidedly Mixed Success," 25 Mar. 2019 The boost glide weapon then glides through the atmosphere on a relatively flat trajectory, avoiding U.S. missile defenses such as the Ground Based Interceptor. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Putin’s New Missiles Are Having Decidedly Mixed Success," 25 Mar. 2019 This could take the form of capsules fixed with flight control surfaces for precision glides or steerable parachutes for more pinpoint landings. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "The Air Force Is Actually Considering Rocket Launches to Move Cargo Around the Globe," 29 Oct. 2018 Photos courtesy of Caravan Outfitter The slide-and-glide system allows all of the components to be installed or removed in about two minutes. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Modular camper van sleeps two and hauls gear, asks $37K," 22 Oct. 2018 And so the trip went, a dizzying glide of flavors and destinations, the city passing by in a blur out the windows of a minivan that had been procured for our passage from one groaning table loaded with goodies to the next. — Mark Rozzo, Town & Country, "Hong Kong Foodie," 1 Nov. 2012

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.