slither

UK: /ˈslɪðə^r/ US: /ˈslɪðɚ/ ,(sliᵺ′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

slith•er /ˈslɪðɚ/   v. [no object]

1. to move with a sliding motion, such as a snake:
   to slither quietly out of the room.
2. to slide along a surface, esp. unsteadily, from side to side:
   to slither clumsily down the ski slope.

n. [countable]

3. a slithering movement;
   slide.

slith•er•y, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

slith•er  (sliᵺ′ər), v.i. 

1. to slide down or along a surface, esp. unsteadily, from side to side, or with some friction or noise:
   The box slithered down the chute.
2. to go or walk with a sliding motion:
   The snake slithered across the path.

v.t. 

3. to cause to slither or slide.

n. 

4. a slithering movement;
   slide.

• 1150–1200; Middle English slitheren, variant of sliddren, Old English slid(e)rian, frequentative of slīdan to slide; see -er⁶

slith′er•y, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

slither / ˈslɪðə/ verb

1. to move or slide or cause to move or slide unsteadily, as on a slippery surface
2. (intransitive) to travel with a sliding motion

noun

1. a slithering motion

Etymology: Old English slidrian, from slīdan to slide