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 of glide

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

From royal events to sporting matches to gliding down ski slopes as kids on vacation, rarely did the public see one without the other. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Throughout his rise to become the voice of Britain’s populist hard-right, architect of Brexit and chief anti-immigrant activist, any accusations of wrongdoing have largely glided off him. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Noun

In Ukraine's northeast Sumy region, four people were killed, including a child, and 17 people were wounded when two aerial glide bombs hit a crowded area where civilians were present, said Sumy regional head Oleh Hryhorov. — ABC News, 11 July 2026

The long-wearing blush comes in five shades, glides onto skin and boasts buildable color. — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

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
• hang glide

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