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snake

n. · v.
US //ˈsneɪk// UK //snˈeɪk// snake
  1. 1 the animal (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a long, thin reptile with no legs and a smooth skin.

    any of the numerous limbless, scaly, elongate reptiles of the suborder Serpentes.

    Example

    We saw a small green snake sliding through the tall grass in the garden.

    Example

    The biologist identified the specimen as a non-venomous snake, noting its distinctive scale pattern and defensive behavior.
  2. 2 a dishonest person (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a person you cannot trust because they are dishonest or mean.

    a person who acts deceitfully or treacherously, especially one who pretends to be a friend.

    Example

    I thought he was my friend, but he's a total snake who told everyone my secrets.

    Example

    In the high-stakes world of corporate mergers, he earned a reputation as a snake who would betray any partner for a higher profit margin.
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  1. 3 plumbing tool (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical

    a long, flexible wire used to clear blocked pipes or drains.

    a flexible steel cable used by plumbers to dislodge obstructions in piping systems.

    Example

    The sink was badly blocked, so I had to use a plumbing snake to clear it.

    Example

    When the chemical cleaners failed to dissolve the clog, the maintenance crew resorted to a heavy-duty motorized snake.
  2. 4 sweets/candy (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English Dialect Cooking

    a long, chewy sweet made of jelly in the shape of a snake.

    a variety of gummy or gelatin-based confectionery shaped like a serpent.

    Example

    The children bought a bag of jelly snakes at the cinema.

    Example

    The party bags were filled with assorted treats, including bright green gummy snakes and chocolate coins.
  3. 5 to move in curves (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move or go in a winding way with many curves.

    to follow a twisting or winding path; to move with a sinuous motion.

    Example

    The narrow road snakes up the side of the mountain.

    Example

    The river snakes through the valley, creating fertile floodplains that have been farmed for centuries.
  4. 6 to steal (v.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    to take something quickly and secretly.

    to steal something in a sly or surreptitious manner.

    Example

    Someone snaked my sandwich from the office fridge while I was in a meeting.

    Example

    He managed to snake the last remaining ticket just as the box office was about to close for the night.
Origin

From Middle English snake, from Old English snaca (“snake, serpent, reptile”), from Proto-West Germanic snakō (“slider, snake”), from snakan (“to creep, slide”), related to Old High German snahhan (“to sneak, slide”). Compare also Proto-Germanic *snēkô (“creeper, crawler”). Cognate with German Low German Snake, Snaak (“snake”), dialectal German Schnake (“adder”), Danish snog (“grass snake”), Swedish snok (“grass snake”), Norwegian Nynorsk snåk (“viper, adder”), Faroese snákur (“grass snake”), Icelandic snákur (“snake”).

Word family
Idioms5 entries

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