# glide

/ˈɡɫaɪd/ (US) · /ɡlˈaɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/glide
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to move smoothly

verb · CEFR B2

to move in a smooth way that looks easy and quiet.

For teachers: to move softly, smoothly, or effortlessly across a surface or through the air.

- The dancers seemed to glide across the floor during the final song.
- The swan appeared to glide effortlessly across the lake, its movement barely creating a ripple on the water's surface.

### 2. to fly without power

verb · CEFR B2

to fly through the air without using an engine or flapping wings.

For teachers: to fly unpowered, utilizing air currents to maintain altitude and forward motion.

- The eagle began to glide high above the valley, searching for food.
- After the engine failed, the pilot managed to glide the aircraft toward a nearby field for an emergency landing.

### 4. linguistics

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a speech sound that is made while moving from one vowel to another.

For teachers: a transitional sound, specifically a semivowel, produced by the vocal organs moving from one position to another.

- In the word 'boy', the sound at the end is a glide.
- Phonetic analysis reveals a distinct glide between the two vowel sounds in the diphthong.

## Examples

- The skaters glide across the ice with grace.
- The eagle began to glide over the valley, using the warm air currents to stay aloft without flapping its wings.
- The swan appeared to glide effortlessly across the mirror-like surface of the lake, though its feet were working rhythmically beneath the water.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.