serpent

noun

ser·​pent ˈsər-pənt 

1

a

archaic : a noxious creature that creeps, hisses, or stings

b

: snake

2

: devil sense 1

3

: a treacherous person

Synonyms of serpent

• snake
• viper

Examples of serpent in a Sentence

an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl

beware the temptations of the serpent

Recent Examples on the Web

And then there are the infernal workers who make sure that Lucifer’s realm runs smoothly, among them farting devils, giants in chains, and a flying monster with the body of a serpent and the face of an honest man. —Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026

Ram’s head or serpent still digesting its last meal? —Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026

That version, directed by Luis Llosa, focused more on thrills and chills, with a plot centered on a documentary crew that ventures into the Amazon rainforest to help a snake hunter (Voight) track down a legendary — and lethal — serpent. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025

The Aeterna, however, is the latest interpretation of Bulgari’s signature serpent motif—a bangle paved with diamonds from head to tail. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin serpent-, serpens, from present participle of serpere to creep; akin to Greek herpein to creep, Sanskrit sarpati he creeps

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing serpent

• sea serpent

Kids Definition

serpent

noun

ser·​pent ˈsər-pənt 

: a usually large snake