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

• flow
• drift
• sail
• slide

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 film unfolds in a dreamy, meandering flow, following Mark around the world and into his home, gliding from the pressures of the octagon (where MMA athletes duke it out) to scenes of more quotidian domesticity. —Richard Lawson, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025

Blasey is the Hamtramck paddleboarder who was gliding across the Blue Heron Lagoon on Belle Isle on Friday when — wait, what the heck is that? —Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025

Noun

Underneath the mouse, the PTFE feet have been widened around the edges and even around the sensor to give the mouse a smoother glide. —PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025

Russia has already fielded and used hypersonic missiles in combat, while China has tested several new glide and ballistic systems. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for glide

• bide
• bride
• chide
• cried
• died
• dried
• dyed
• eid
• eide
• eyed
• flied
• fried

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