slither
gb/slˈɪðɚ/ us/slˈɪðɚ/
B2
English
kúszik, kígyózik, bekúszik, elsurran, megcsúszik, csúszkál, kúszás, surrogás
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[animal] slithers (+ along/across/through [place])
A snake slithered through the long grass and disappeared into the hedge.
Egy kígyó átkúszott a magas füvön, és eltűnt a sövényben.
We watched the lizard slither across the warm rock.
Néztük, ahogy a gyík átkúszott a meleg sziklán.
Earthworms slither along the soil after heavy rain.
Learner examples
The snake slithered away.
A kígyó elkúszott.
I saw a worm slither on the ground.
Láttam egy férget kúszni a földön.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *slither* for normal walking; it suggests a snake-like sliding motion.
Meaning
move like a snake
Collocations
slither along
|slither across the floor
|slither through the grass
|slither into a hole
|slither out from under
|slither away
|slither silently
|slither forward
|slither between rocks
|slither over
Synonyms
wriggle (Emphasizes twisting movement, not necessarily forward progress.)
|
glide (Suggests smooth motion, but usually without the twisting shape.)
Antonyms
stand still (No movement at all.)
Themes
animals
|nature
|movement
Definition
If a snake slithers, it moves forward by sliding and turning its body.
To move forward by sliding over a surface with a twisting, curving motion, like a snake.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] slithers (+ into/out of/through/past [place])
He slithered into the meeting late and took the nearest empty seat.
Késve besurrant a megbeszélésre, és elfoglalta a legközelebbi üres széket.
Fog slithered through the trees and across the road.
A köd bekúszott a fák közé, és ráterült az útra.
The scarf slithered through her fingers as she tried to tie it.
Learner examples
The cat slithered under the sofa.
A macska bekúszott a kanapé alá.
She slithered past without a sound.
Hangtalanul elsurrant.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse *slither* with *slide*: *slither* often suggests a long, curving motion and can sound slightly negative when used about people.
Meaning
move smoothly and quietly
Collocations
slither into the room
|slither through a gap
|slither past
|slither between
|slither around
|slither out
|slither quietly
|slither silently
|slither closer
|slither back
Synonyms
sneak (Focuses on secrecy; not necessarily smooth or snake-like movement.)
|
glide (Neutral/positive smooth movement; lacks the creepy or sneaky suggestion.)
Antonyms
stomp (Loud, heavy movement rather than quiet, smooth movement.)
Themes
movement
|daily_life
|stories
Definition
To move in a smooth, quiet way, like a snake.
To move smoothly and quietly in a way that suggests a snake-like, sinuous motion.
VERB
C1
3
megcsúszik
B1
csúszkál
B1
Usage pattern:
[vehicle/object/person] slithers (+ along/down/over [surface])
The car slithered on the ice and narrowly missed the barrier.
Az autó megcsúszott a jégen, és kis híján nekiütközött a korlátnak.
Loose stones made us slither down the path despite our boots.
A laza kövek miatt a bakancsunk ellenére is meg-megcsúszva ereszkedtünk le az ösvényen.
The canoe slithered over the mud as they dragged it to the water.
Learner examples
The car slithered on the wet road.
Az autó megcsúszott a nedves úton.
Common mistake:
Use *skid* more for vehicles; *slither* adds a snaking, side-to-side feeling.
Meaning
slide or skid without control
Collocations
slither on ice
|slither across the road
|slither down the slope
|slither down a bank
|slither sideways
|slither out of control
|slither towards
|slither over gravel
|slither on wet leaves
|slither downhill
Synonyms
skid (Common for vehicles; focuses on loss of traction.)
|
slide (More general; may be controlled or intentional.)
Antonyms
grip (To hold the surface firmly rather than slipping.)
Themes
transport
|movement
|weather
Definition
To slide in an uncontrolled way, often on something slippery.
To slide or skid in a way that is hard to control, often because a surface is steep, slippery, or unstable.
NOUN
C1
4
Usage pattern:
a slither (of [something])
With a soft slither, the snake vanished into the undergrowth.
Halk surrogással a kígyó eltűnt az aljnövényzetben.
She heard the slither of something moving in the leaves behind her.
Hallotta valaminek a surrogását a háta mögötti levelek között.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse *slither* with *sliver* (a thin piece).
Meaning
a snake-like sliding movement
Collocations
with a slither
|a sudden slither
|a quiet slither
|the slither of a snake
|hear a slither
|a slither through the grass
Synonyms
wriggle (Emphasizes twisting, often without smooth forward sliding.)
|
slide (More general and usually lacks the snake-like idea.)
Antonyms
stillness (The absence of movement.)
Themes
movement
|animals
|nature
Definition
A slither is a smooth, twisting sliding movement.
A smooth, twisting sliding movement like that of a snake; an instance of slithering.
Grammar
Dictionary form
slither
IPA
GB/slˈɪðɚ/
US/slˈɪðɚ/
Syllables & stress
slith - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (slith)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: slither
- 3rd Person Singular: slithers
- Present Participle: slithering
- Past: slithered
Expressions
slither away
1/slˈɪðɚ əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
leave quietly and sneakily
To leave quietly, often so people don’t notice.
Examples
- When the questions started, he slithered away toward the door.
- The rumor didn’t go away; it just slithered away for a while and came back later.
Learner examples
- He slithered away before anyone could stop him.
slither down
1/slˈɪðɚ dˈaʊn/
fixed phrase
slide down something slippery
To slide down in a way that is hard to control.
Examples
- We slithered down the muddy bank to the river.
- The van slithered down the hill when the road turned icy.
Learner examples
- They slithered down the hill.
slither into
1/slˈɪðɚ ˈɪntu/
fixed phrase
enter quietly and smoothly
To go into a place quietly and smoothly.
Examples
- She slithered into the back row after the film had started.
- Cold air slithered into the room through the gap under the door.
Learner examples
- He slithered into the room.
slither out of
1/slˈɪðɚ ˈaʊt əv/
phrasal verb
avoid responsibility or escape
To avoid doing something you should do, in a sneaky way.
Examples
- He tried to slither out of paying by claiming he’d forgotten his wallet.
- Don’t let them slither out of responsibility for the mistake.
Learner examples
- She slithered out of doing the work.
slither up to
1/slˈɪðɚ ˈʌp tə/
fixed phrase
approach in a creepy way
To come close to someone quietly in a way that feels creepy or sneaky.
Examples
- He slithered up to her and started asking personal questions.
- A man in a dark coat slithered up to the counter and whispered to the clerk.