How Do You Spell SLITHER?

Pronunciation: [slˈɪðə] (IPA)

The word "slither" is spelled with the letters S-L-I-T-H-E-R. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈslɪðər/. The "sl" consonant cluster is pronounced with a slight sibilance before transitioning to the "i" vowel sound. The "th" in the middle of the word is pronounced with a dental fricative sound. The final "er" syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, which is an unstressed, neutral vowel sound. Together, these sounds create the word "slither" that describes the movement of snakes and other animals.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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SLITHER Meaning and Definition

  1. Slither is a verb that signifies the action of moving smoothly and stealthily, typically describing the movement of a snake or other reptile. The word is derived from Middle English and Old English roots, specifically from the Proto-Germanic term "slithran," meaning "to slide or glide." It conveys the idea of undulating or gliding across a surface with a sinuous and serpentine motion.

    When applied to snakes, slither describes their distinctive way of propelling their bodies forward. Snakes use a combination of muscular contractions and undulations, enabling them to smoothly glide across various terrain. This unique method of locomotion allows them to maneuver easily in different environments, from grassy plains to dense forests.

    However, slither can also be used metaphorically to describe the movement of other creatures or even inanimate objects. For instance, it can depict the stealthy and seamless actions of certain insects, like worms or caterpillars. In a broader context, slither can even be employed to illustrate an individual's actions, suggesting a sly, sneaky, or evasive behavior.

    Overall, slither portrays a graceful and sinuous motion, emphasizing smoothness, agility, and subtle movement. It encapsulates the visual characteristics of a snake's serpentine motion while also encompassing a broader range of interpretations denoting the act of gliding, moving surreptitiously, or traversing smoothly across a surface.

Common Misspellings for SLITHER

Etymology of SLITHER

The word "slither" has its origins in Middle English, deriving from the Old English word "slidan". The Old English word "slidan" meant "to slide" or "to slip", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "slithaną". In Proto-Germanic, "slithaną" had similar meanings of "to slide" or "to glide". The term is also cognate with Old High German "slidōn" and Old Norse "slíra". Over time, the word "slither" specifically came to be associated with the smooth, sinuous movement of snakes and other reptiles.

Idioms with the word SLITHER

  • slither along The idiom "slither along" refers to moving in a smooth, sinuous, or sneaky manner, much like the way a snake moves. It suggests a sense of undulating or gliding movement, especially when navigating through tight spaces or in a secretive or sly manner.
  • slither away The idiom "slither away" typically means to sneak away or retreat silently and surreptitiously, just like a snake moving quietly and unnoticed. It implies leaving a situation or place without attracting attention or without being noticed by others.

Similar spelling words for SLITHER

Plural form of SLITHER is SLITHERS

Conjugate verb Slither

CONDITIONAL

I would slither
you would slither
he/she/it would slither
we would slither
they would slither

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be slithering
you would be slithering
he/she/it would be slithering
we would be slithering
they would be slithering

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have slither
you would have slither
he/she/it would have slither
we would have slither
they would have slither

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been slithering
you would have been slithering
he/she/it would have been slithering
we would have been slithering
they would have been slithering

FUTURE

I will slither
you will slither
he/she/it will slither
we will slither
they will slither

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be slithering
you will be slithering
he/she/it will be slithering
we will be slithering
they will be slithering

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have slithered
you will have slithered
he/she/it will have slithered
we will have slithered
they will have slithered

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been slithering
you will have been slithering
he/she/it will have been slithering
we will have been slithering
they will have been slithering

IMPERATIVE

you slither
we let´s slither

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to slither

PAST

I slithered
you slithered
he/she/it slithered
we slithered
they slithered

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was slithering
you were slithering
he/she/it was slithering
we were slithering
they were slithering

PAST PARTICIPLE

slithered

PAST PERFECT

I had slithered
you had slithered
he/she/it had slithered
we had slithered
they had slithered

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been slithering
you had been slithering
he/she/it had been slithering
we had been slithering
they had been slithering

PRESENT

I slither
you slither
he/she/it slithers
we slither
they slither

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am slithering
you are slithering
he/she/it is slithering
we are slithering
they are slithering

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

slithering

PRESENT PERFECT

I have slithered
you have slithered
he/she/it has slithered
we have slithered
they have slithered

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been slithering
you have been slithering
he/she/it has been slithering
we have been slithering
they have been slithering
I would have slithered
we would have slithered
you would have slithered
he/she/it would have slithered
they would have slithered

Infographic

Correct spelling for slither
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