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

Here, ice skaters glide across outdoor rinks, groups gather for curling or fat-tire biking, and nearby trails offer wide-open spaces for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and quiet winter hikes. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025

The Mary Tyler Moore Show and sublime network romantic comedy Broadcast News — especially when Albert Brooks glides through as Ella’s ascending boss and stands out as the only cast member who appears to have a firm grasp on what the filmmaker is going for. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025

Noun

Thanks to a moisturizing jojoba seed oil complex, the pencil glides on tug-free to a semi-sheer finish that acts like an impossibly natural contour for your lip line. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025

Drones inflict the majority of day-to-day attrition against infantry and vehicles on the move in and around the frontlines, but concentrated glide bomb attacks pose a much greater threat to dug-in troops. —Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 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