glide

verb \ ˈglīd \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of glide

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

See glide defined for English-language learners

See glide defined for kids

Examples of glide in a Sentence

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 of glide from the Web

The lightweight gel glides on as a hydrating moisturizer and won't clog your pores.

— sophie saint thomas, Allure, "Volition Beauty's Sold-Out Luminizing Sunscreen Is Back in Stock at Sephora," 30 Apr. 2018
And the creamy stick glides on for an effortless application.

— Marie Claire, "Prix d’Excellence de la Beauté 2018," 24 Apr. 2018
The Vogelkop, however, shuffles its feet in quick little motions, effectively gliding from side to side.

— tim laman, National Geographic, "New Bird of Paradise Species Has Smooth Dance Moves," 18 Apr. 2018
In such cases, a good flight crew can still use the plane’s altitude as an energy source and glide safely to a runway.

— jeff wise, Popular Mechanics, "What Actually Happens When a Plane Loses an Engine," 18 Apr. 2018
The waitstaff is like your best friend’s grown children, with Howe in butterfly mode, gliding from table to table checking on details.

— mike sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: Outlaw Kitchens sets a neighborly table in Alta Vista," 5 Apr. 2018
The production mirrors this, as do Nakhane’s vocals, which glide and billow around textures and soundscapes that are evocative of the elements, filled with dirt and the lapping of water.

— alim kheraj, GQ, "Nakhane Is No Longer Living in Fear," 21 Mar. 2018
Participants can expect to experience speeds reaching 40 miles-per-hour while gliding from tower to tower, according to the course.

— william thornton, AL.com, "Hummingbird Ziplines Course at the Wharf opens Thursday," 6 Mar. 2018
Griezmann collected the ball outside the box, glided past three players and picked out the top corner with his right foot to complete a superb individual goal.

— SI.com, "Sevilla 2-5 Atletico Madrid: Griezmann Bags Hat-Trick as Rampant Atleti Stun Sevilla," 25 Feb. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of glide

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

glide Synonyms

glide

noun

Definition of glide

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