What does slithered mean?
The word 'slithered' is the past tense of the verb 'slither', which means to move with a smooth, sinuous motion, typically on a flat surface, as a snake or a fish. This verb is often used in British English to describe the movement of animals, such as snakes and fish, and can also be used to describe the movement of people or objects in a smooth and stealthy manner. In British English, the past tense is often used as a present tense, e.g. 'The snake slithers through the grass.' The word 'slithered' is a useful word to know when describing the movement of animals or objects in a smooth and sinuous motion. It is also an interesting word to learn about the history and development of the English language, as it is related to the Proto-Germanic word '*slīþiz', which is also the source of the Modern German word 'schleichen', meaning 'to creep' or 'to sneak'.
verbThe past tense of slither, referring to the act of moving with a smooth, sinuous motion.
- The past tense of slither, referring to the act of moving with a smooth, sinuous motion.
"The snake slithered silently through the grass."
"The snake slithered silently through the grass."
"The fish slithered through the water."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of slithered
The word 'slither' comes from the Old English word 'slīþan', which means 'to slide' or 'to slip'. It is related to the Proto-Germanic word '*slīþiz', which is also the source of the Modern German word 'schleichen', meaning 'to creep' or 'to sneak'.
Usage notes
In British English, the past tense is often used as a present tense, e.g. 'The snake slithers through the grass.'