glide Definition
glide (glīd)
intransitive verb glid′ed, glid′·ing
- to flow or move smoothly and easily, as in skating
- to move by or pass gradually and almost unnoticed, as time
- Aeron.
- to fly in a glider
- to descend with little or no engine power, using airflow to control lift
- Music, Phonet. to make a glide
Etymology: ME gliden < OE glidan, akin to Ger gleiten, prob. < IE *ghlei-dh (< base *ĝhel-, to shine > glass, glow)
transitive verb
to cause to glide
noun
- the act of gliding; smooth, easy flow or movement
- ☆ a small disk or ball, as of nylon, attached to the underside of furniture legs, etc. to allow easy sliding
- Music, loosely a slur, portamento, or the like
- Phonet.
- an intermediate sound produced in the transition of the speech organs from the position for one sound to that for another
- the nonsyllabic vowel in a diphthong
glide Synonyms
glide
n.
glide Synonyms
glide
v.
glide Usage Examples
Object
- scholarship: Sergeant Roberts was awarded a gliding scholarship at 611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron ( VGS ) at Watton airfield.
- angle: Needs engine power at all times as glide angle with engine at idle is almost vertical.
- motion: The swift gliding motion was more like the skimming of the swallow than the skating of a man.
- club: The nearby gliding club offers some of finest gliding conditions in Europe.
- slope: The next thing to think about is intercepting the glide slope.
Preposition: through
countryside: Fine wines and à la carte menus make a supremely pleasant way to pass the time as you glide through the countryside.
Adjective modifier
smooth: Tenpou was walking across the room toward him in a quick smooth glide of dark leather and motion.
Modifies a noun
- slope: The pilot was calling on a mobile phone before the glide slope signal was acquired, and the call ceased when the aircraft crashed.
- angle: The new sleek ready-to-fly 3 channel electric glider from JP features a brilliant glide angle, precise handling and gorgeous looks.
Modifying Another Word
- effortlessly: Special lubricants allow blades to glide effortlessly along the skin.
- gracefully: This tastes like a Red Kite gracefully gliding over the picturesque Brecon Beacons?
- silently: I find myself gliding silently through the crowd which moves unconsciously aside to let me through.
- serenely: Again, it can be a really special experience, hovering beneath the surface and watching your child serenely glide toward you.
- smoothly: Glide smoothly across most work surfaces - no mouse pad or cleaning required.
- gently: Calm the senses gently gliding along a beautiful canal in a narrow boat.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- along: On another occasion, we were gliding along through the crystal clear water, some distance from shore.
- through: The caverns can offer something akin to a kids play castle with chambers to explore, narrow passages to glide through.
- around: See her glide around the floor, then glide around into the pub next door.
Followed by a transitive particle
down: Surely the Devil would just glide down stuff like that?
Adjective complement
past: Meanwhile watch smug parties of experienced punters glide past.

