snake

1 of 2

noun

ˈsnāk 

1

: any of numerous limbless scaled reptiles (suborder Serpentes synonym Ophidia) with a long tapering body and with salivary glands often modified to produce venom which is injected through grooved or tubular fangs

2

: a worthless or treacherous fellow

3

: something (such as a plumber's snake) resembling a snake

snakelike

ˈsnāk-ˌlīk 

adjective

snake

2 of 2

verb

snaked; snaking

transitive verb

1

: to wind (one's way, one's body in crawling, etc.) in the manner of a snake

2

: to move (something, such as logs) by dragging

intransitive verb

: to crawl, move, or extend silently, secretly, or sinuously

Synonyms of snake

Noun

• serpent
• viper

Verb

• lurk
• sneak
• mouse
• slip
• slide
• steal

Examples of snake in a Sentence

Noun

I thought she was my friend, but she turned out to be a snake in the grass.

snakes are cold-blooded, so they regulate their body temperature by alternately basking in sunlight and seeking shade

Verb

The road snakes through the mountains.

Cables snaked across the floor.

Technicians snaked cables through the set.

He snaked his way through the crowd.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As part of the Sihek Recovery Program, a handful of birds, including Mames and Långet, now live on the brown snake-free Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Roger’s emphasis on urban and rural areas is new to the 4th District, which was redrawn to snake through Kansas City’s urban core in an effort to create a 5th District that’s more favorable to Republicans. — Jack Harvel july 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

Verb

The new district snakes up through Kansas City’s urban core, in an attempt to create a district more favorable for Republicans in the 5th District. — Jack Harvel july 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

The story of McCarthy’s life was written on this winding street that snakes through a small, working-class corner of Pittsburgh where the Monongahela River bends. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English snaca; akin to Old Norse snakr snake, Old High German snahhan to crawl

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1653, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing snake

• black rat snake
• black snake
• brown tree snake
• bull snake
• chicken snake
• coral snake
• corn snake
• eastern rat snake
• garter snake
• glass snake
• gopher snake
• gray rat snake
• green snake
• hognose snake
• indigo snake
• king snake
• milk snake
• pine snake
• plumber's snake
• rat snake
• red rat snake
• scarlet king snake
• sea snake
• snake charmer
• snake-dance
• snake doctor
• snake fence
• snake in the grass
• snake oil
• snake pit
• snake plant
• snake worm
• water snake
• western rat snake
• worm snake

Rhymes for snake

• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake
• fake
• flake
• hake
• jake

Kids Definition

snake

1 of 2 noun

ˈsnāk 

1

: any of numerous limbless reptiles that have a long body and salivary glands often capable of producing venom which is injected through fangs

2

: a mean or treacherous person

snakelike

ˈsnā-ˌklīk 

adjective

snake

2 of 2 verb

snaked; snaking

: to crawl, wind, or move like a snake

Medical Definition

snake

noun

ˈsnāk 

: any of numerous limbless scaled reptiles (suborder Serpentes synonym Ophidia) with a long tapering body and with salivary glands often modified to produce venom which is injected through grooved or tubular fangs

Geographical Definition

Snake

geographical name

ˈsnāk 

river 1038 miles (1670 kilometers) long in the northwestern U.S. flowing from northwestern Wyoming across southern Idaho and into the Columbia River in Washington