snail
n. · v.-
1 the animal (n.) A2 Elementarya small, soft animal with a round shell that moves very slowly.
a gastropod mollusc with a coiled shell into which it can retract its body.
ExampleAfter the rain, dozens of snails appeared on the garden path.
ExampleThe biologist noted that the snail leaves a trail of mucus to reduce friction as it traverses rough surfaces.
- gastropod
- mollusc
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2 a slow person (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalsomeone who moves or works very slowly.
a person who moves, acts, or works with excessive slowness.
ExampleHurry up, you snail, or we will miss the start of the movie.
ExampleThe manager grew frustrated with the new recruit, calling him a snail because he took twice as long as others to complete the filing.
- sluggard
- slowcoach
- speedster
-
3 mechanical part (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Engineeringa flat, spiral-shaped piece of metal used in machines like clocks.
a spiral cam or flat metal piece with a curved outline used to provide specific motion to other mechanical parts.
ExampleThe clockmaker carefully adjusted the snail to ensure the chime sounded at the right time.
ExampleIn horology, the snail is a critical component of the striking mechanism, determining the number of times the hammer hits the bell.
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4 to move slowly (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalto move at a very slow pace.
to progress or travel at an exceptionally slow speed.
ExampleTraffic was snailing along the highway due to the heavy snow.
ExampleThe morning commute was frustrating as the bus snailed through the city centre during the peak of the transit strike.
From Middle English snayl, snail, from the Old English sneġel, from Proto-Germanic *snagilaz. Cognate with Low German Snagel, Snâel, Snâl (“snail”), German Schnegel (“slug”). Compare also Old Norse snigill, from Proto-Germanic *snigilaz.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated June 20, 2026