serpent
- 01 C1 Advanced
a snake, especially a large or dangerous one in a story.
a snake; the term is typically reserved for literary, mythological, or biblical contexts rather than biological descriptions.
Simple“In the ancient story, a giant serpent guarded the entrance to the cave.”
In context“The poet describes the serpent gliding through the tall grass, its scales shimmering with a cold, metallic light.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
a large, snake-like monster from myths, like a dragon or a sea monster.
a legendary or mythological creature of snake-like form, such as a sea serpent or a dragon.
Simple“Sailors told terrifying tales of a sea serpent that lived in the deep ocean.”
In context“Medieval maps often featured illustrations of great serpents in the unexplored corners of the world to warn travellers of unknown dangers.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a person who is dishonest and cannot be trusted.
a treacherous, deceitful, or malicious person who hides their true intentions.
Simple“He called his business partner a serpent after he was cheated out of his money.”
In context“The king realised too late that his closest advisor was a serpent who had been plotting his downfall for years.”
Synonymstraitordeceiver - 04 C2 Proficiency
an old-fashioned wind instrument made of wood that is shaped like a snake.
a bass wind instrument, typically made of wood and leather, with a curved shape resembling a snake.
Simple“The museum has a rare serpent from the 1700s in its music collection.”
In context“The composer included a part for the serpent to provide a deep, haunting tone to the orchestral arrangement.”
“The broken pieces included part of the rim and a handle shaped like a two-headed serpent.”
“Royal Match is a tile-match game, where you race against the clock as a serpent tries to eat the king.”