glide
verb (used without object)
to move smoothly and continuously along, as if without effort or resistance, as a flying bird, a boat, or a skater.
had been gliding
-
past perfect progressiveof glide.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When a great black-backed gull that had been gliding above the surface paused, and then climbed up about 20 feet, Calabro turned the boat immediately.
From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2022
The stock market, which had been gliding to record highs, dropped nearly 1% one day last week.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 16, 2021
Moments before the visitor alarm rang, Aru’s mom had been gliding through the cramped two-bedroom apartment connected to the museum.
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
Not long ago, I had been gliding through the crowded center of New York City, wanting nothing more than to make enough money to keep myself off the streets.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
And in answer they came, every bird in the forest, whether they had been gliding in the hunt on silent wings or roosting asleep; they came fluttering upward in their thousands through the tumbling air.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
