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

Snuggle inside one of the large glass pods on the giant observation wheel for their new Festive Afternoon Tea to nosh on tea sandwiches, scones and sweets like a coconut cardamom tart and mince pie, while watching the city’s beauty slowly glide by. —Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025

Then actor Christine Baranski glided through, looking like model Suzy Parker posing for Richard Avedon in the late 1950s, showing the gals how it’s done. —Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025

Noun

Neon lights pulse and glide in currents, reflecting off the shimmering accessories of flush passersby. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Nov. 2025

Now, instead of slogging onward with no sense of progress, job seekers can build on small but necessary achievements to gain some glide. —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 22 Nov. 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