verb / noun

glide

GLYDE/ɡlaɪd/

Smooth, continuous movement with little visible effort or power.

The swan glides across calm water, leaving a narrow wake.

A swan glides across calm water, its relaxed body leaving a long, narrow wake while the surrounding surface remains nearly undisturbed.

Etymology

glideOld Englishto move smoothly, slip, slide

Old English glīdan already described smooth, easy movement, alongside slipping and sliding. The modern sense preserves that image of motion with little apparent effort.

In context

Nat Geo Animals107:05

Gliding tree snakes can use their serpentine bodies to glide from tree to tree

Freakiest Animals Across the Globe | MEGA EPISODE | Nat Geo Animals

More examples

They watched the glider's long glide.
She glided across the ice.
The skaters are gliding past.

Forms

glide · glides · glided · gliding

Similar words

slide: Often involves contact with a surface.
coast: Emphasizes movement without added power.