slither

/ˈslɪðə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [slˈɪðɚ] /ˈslɪðər/ (ame, ipa) · [slˈɪðɚ] /ˈsli-t͟hər How to pronounce slither (audio)/ (ame, mw)

slither — verb

  • slitherpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • slithershe / she / it
  • slitheredpast simple
  • slithering-ing form

1. to move low over the ground in a winding way, especially like a snake or eel

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to move low over the ground in a winding way, especially like a snake or eel

例句

A green snake slithered across the warm road after the summer storm.

slither + across + surface for snake-like movement

Theo watched the lizard slither under a flat rock near the stream.

同義詞
  • crawl

    focuses on moving slowly with hands, knees, or the body, not on a winding shape

  • slide

    can be smooth or deliberate and does not suggest a twisting body movement

  • glide

    sounds smoother and more graceful than slither

反義詞
  • stride

    suggests upright movement with long confident steps

文法句型

slither + across/along/under + place

slither + adverb / prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Usually describes animals or people moving with the body close to the ground. It often suggests an uneasy, twisting motion rather than a smooth or graceful one.

2. to slide somewhere with little control because the surface is wet, icy, steep, o

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to slide somewhere with little control because the surface is wet, icy, steep, or hard to grip

例句

Christopher slithered down the muddy bank and landed in the shallow water.

slither + down + slope for uncontrolled movement

The child slithered across the icy path when her boots lost their grip.

同義詞
  • slip

    usually emphasizes the sudden loss of footing rather than the continued sliding movement

  • skid

    is more common for vehicles, wheels, or objects moving sideways

  • slide

    is more neutral and does not always imply a loss of control

反義詞

文法句型

slither + down/across/toward + place

slither + adverb (sideways)

用法筆記

This sense is used when someone or something is carried by a slippery surface rather than choosing the movement. It often appears with down, across, toward, or sideways.

3. to move little by little into a different and usually worse situation, often so

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to move little by little into a different and usually worse situation, often so quietly that others fail to notice it at first

例句

The friendly joke slithered into cruelty before anyone at the table objected.

slither into + worse kind of behavior

After the layoffs, hope slithered into fear across the whole office.

同義詞
  • drift

    is more neutral and can describe changes that are not harmful

  • slide

    is broader and less suggestive of something unpleasant or sneaky

  • deteriorate

    focuses on worsening quality rather than the quiet movement into a new state

反義詞
  • recover

    means to move back to a healthier or better state

  • stabilize

    means to stop the situation from getting worse

文法句型

slither + into + state

slither + from + state + into + state

slither + toward + negative result

用法筆記

Often used for changes that feel quiet, uneasy, or hard to stop once they begin. The new state is usually negative, such as conflict, fear, debt, or decline.