# sliding

/ˈsɫaɪdɪŋ/ (US) · /slˈaɪdɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sliding
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. able to slide

adjective · CEFR A2

designed to move smoothly along a surface or track.

For teachers: constructed to move by gliding along a surface or within a fixed track.

- The glass sliding doors lead out to the garden patio.
- The architect specified heavy-duty sliding panels to allow the internal living space to merge seamlessly with the outdoor terrace during summer months.

### 2. variable scale

adjective · CEFR B2

changing according to a set of rules or a scale.

For teachers: variable according to a particular scale or set of conditions; often used in financial or administrative contexts.

- The clinic uses a sliding scale for fees based on how much you earn.
- The membership fees operate on a sliding scale, ensuring that students and retirees can access the facilities at a significantly reduced rate.

### 3. the act of moving

noun · CEFR B1

the smooth movement of something across a surface.

For teachers: the action or instance of gliding or slipping along a surface.

- The sliding of the heavy crates across the floor made a loud noise.
- The constant sliding of the tectonic plates eventually leads to significant seismic activity along the fault line.

### 4. moving now

verb · CEFR A2

the -ing form of the verb 'slide', used for actions happening now.

For teachers: the present participle of 'slide', used in continuous tenses or as a gerund.

- The children were sliding down the icy hill on their sleds.
- By sliding the cursor across the timeline, the editor was able to locate the exact frame where the lighting changed.

## Examples

- The hotel room has a large sliding glass door.
- We installed a sliding wardrobe in the bedroom to save space because the room is quite narrow.
- The architect specified sliding partitions to allow the office space to be reconfigured quickly for different team sizes throughout the day.

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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.