top definitions
quizzes
related content
examples
explore dictionary
british
medical
scientific
idioms and phrases

slide

[ slahyd ]

/ slaɪd /

verb (used without object), slid [slid] /slɪd/, slid or slid·den [slid-n] /ˈslɪd n/, slid·ing.

to move along in continuous contact with a smooth or slippery surface: to slide down a snow-covered hill.

to slip or skid.

to glide or pass smoothly.

to slip easily, quietly, or unobtrusively on or as if on a track, channel, or guide rail (usually followed by in, out, away, etc.).

to pass or fall gradually into a specified state, character, practice, etc.

to decline or decrease: Interest rates are beginning to slide.

Baseball. (of a base runner) to cast oneself, usually feet first, forward along the ground in the direction of the base being approached, to present less of a target for a baseman attempting to make a tag.

verb (used with object), slid [slid] /slɪd/, slid or slid·den [slid-n] /ˈslɪd n/, slid·ing.

to cause to slide, slip, or coast, as over a surface or with a smooth, gliding motion.

to hand, pass along, or slip (something) easily or quietly (usually followed by in, into, etc.): to slide a note into someone's hand.

noun

an act or instance of sliding.

a smooth surface for sliding on, especially a type of chute in a playground.

an object intended to slide.

Geology.

a landslide or the like.
the mass of matter sliding down.

a single transparency, object, or image for projection in a projector, as a lantern slide.

Photography. a small positive color transparency mounted for projection on a screen or magnification through a viewer.

a usually rectangular plate of glass on which objects are placed for microscopic examination.

Furniture. a shelf sliding into the body of a piece when not in use.

Music.

an embellishment consisting of an upward or downward series of three or more tones, the last of which is the principal tone.
a portamento.
a U-shaped section of the tube of an instrument of the trumpet class, as the trombone, that can be pushed in or out to alter the length of the air column and change the pitch.

a vehicle mounted on runners, for conveying loads, as of grain or wood, especially over a level surface.

(of a machine or mechanism)

a moving part working on a track, channel, or guide rails.
the surface, track, channel, or guide rails on which the part moves.

any of various chutes used in logging, mining, or materials handling.

a flat or very low-heeled, backless shoe or slipper that can be slipped on and off the foot easily.

QUIZZES

FOR POSTERITY’S SAKE, TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Are words your bailiwick? Take the latest quiz on the words from July 6 to July 12 to find out.

Question 1 of 7

bailiwick

a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look.

place or source of origin.

a person's area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for slide

let slide, to allow to deteriorate, pursue a natural course, etc., without intervention on one's part: to let things slide.

Origin of slide

before 950; Middle English sliden (v.), Old English slīdan; cognate with Middle Low German slīden, Middle High German slīten; akin to sled

SYNONYMS FOR slide

1 slither. Slide, glide, slip suggest movement over a smooth surface. Slide suggests a movement of one surface over another in contact with it: to slide downhill. Glide suggests a continuous, smooth, easy, and (usually) noiseless motion: a skater gliding over the ice. To slip is to slide in a sudden or accidental way: to slip on the ice and fall.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR slide ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby slide

slicken, slickenside, slicker, slickrock, slickster, slide, slide fastener, slide guitar, slide knot, slide mountain, slide over

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for slid

I pulled him out by a leg, and there was a trail of blood and bubbles where his mouth had slid along the ground.
The Stacks: A Dog Dies, a Boy Grows Up|Pete Dexter|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
McCarthy skated three strides across the line and slid a lead pass to Howe.
Gordie Howe Hockey’s Greatest War Horse|W.C. Heinz|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She slid down one strap to her elbow, and the other strap followed suit.
Speed Read of ‘King of Bitcoin’—the Erotic Bitcoin eBook|Anna Brand|October 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After Stewart had slid into second base Pete, looking somewhat surprised, took his hand off the phone.
How Peter Worthington Taught His Grandson to Love Baseball|David Frum|May 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST

I opened the rear door, slid Valerie into the back seat, and tumbled after her.
Life Imitates Patriots: Inaugural Version|David Frum|January 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Drawing his bow, he slid to the ground, and sheltered himself behind his pony.
The War Trail|Elmer Russell Gregor
This time she struck the shell so hard that its contents splashed out sideways with an unexpected squirt and slid to the floor.
Georgina of the Rainbows|Annie Fellows Johnston
Cutting the switch he slid out of the car and ducked over a hedge.
A Yankee Flier Over Berlin|Al Avery
He slid out of his chair and smiled at Schindelberger, who stared frigidly in return.
The Competitive Nephew|Montague Glass
It had to be slid sideways for a quarter of an inch, a safety-lock feature.
The Blue Ghost Mystery|Harold Leland Goodwin

British Dictionary definitions for slid

slide

/ (slaɪd) /

verb slides, sliding, slid (slɪd), slid or slidden (ˈslɪdən)

to move or cause to move smoothly along a surface in continual contact with itdoors that slide open; children sliding on the ice

(intr) to lose grip or balancehe slid on his back

(intr; usually foll by into, out of, away from, etc) to pass or move gradually and unobtrusivelyshe slid into the room

(intr usually foll by into) to go (into a specified condition) by degrees, unnoticeably, etche slid into loose living

(foll by in, into, etc) to move (an object) unobtrusively or (of an object) to move in this wayhe slid the gun into his pocket

(intr) music to execute a portamento

let slide to allow to follow a natural course, esp one leading to deteriorationto let things slide

noun

the act or an instance of sliding

a smooth surface, as of ice or mud, for sliding on

a construction incorporating an inclined smooth slope for sliding down in playgrounds, etc

rowing a sliding seat in a boat or its runners

a thin glass plate on which specimens are mounted for microscopic study

Also called: transparency a positive photograph on a transparent base, mounted in a cardboard or plastic frame or between glass plates, that can be viewed by means of a slide projector

Also called: hair slide mainly British an ornamental clip to hold hair in placeUS and Canadian name: barrette

machinery

a sliding part or member
the track, guide, or channel on or in which such a part slides

music

the sliding curved tube of a trombone that is moved in or out to allow the production of different harmonic series and a wider range of notes
a portamento

music

a metal or glass tube placed over a finger held against the frets of a guitar to produce a portamento
the style of guitar playing using a slideSee also bottleneck (def. 3)

geology

the rapid downward movement of a large mass of earth, rocks, etc, caused by erosion, faulting, etc
the mass of material involved in this descentSee also landslide

Derived forms of slide

slidable, adjectiveslider, noun

Word Origin for slide

Old English slīdan; related to slidor slippery, sliderian to slither, Middle High German slīten

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for slid

slide

[ slīd ]

n.

A small glass plate for mounting specimens to be examined under a microscope.

Scientific definitions for slid

slide

[ slīd ]

A mass movement of earth, rocks, snow, or ice down a slope. Slides can be caused by an accumulation of new matter or of moisture in the overlying material, or by erosion within or below the material. They are often triggered by an earthquake or other disturbance such as an explosion.

The mass of material resulting from such a process.

Idioms and Phrases with slid

slide

see let ride (slide); let slip (slide).

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

slide

verb (used without object), slid [slid] /slɪd/, slid or slid·den [slid-n] /ˈslɪd n/, slid·ing.

verb (used with object), slid [slid] /slɪd/, slid or slid·den [slid-n] /ˈslɪd n/, slid·ing.

noun

QUIZZES

FOR POSTERITY’S SAKE, TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Idioms for slide

Origin of slide

SYNONYMS FOR slide

OTHER WORDS FROM slide

Words nearby slide

Example sentences from the Web for slid

British Dictionary definitions for slid

verb slides, sliding, slid (slɪd), slid or slidden (ˈslɪdən)

noun

Derived forms of slide

Word Origin for slide

Medical definitions for slid

n.

Scientific definitions for slid

Idioms and Phrases with slid

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

slide

verb (used without object), slid [slid] /slɪd/, slid or slid·den [slid-n] /ˈslɪd n/, slid·ing.

verb (used with object), slid [slid] /slɪd/, slid or slid·den [slid-n] /ˈslɪd n/, slid·ing.

noun

QUIZZES

FOR POSTERITY’S SAKE, TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Idioms for slide

Origin of slide

SYNONYMS FOR slide

OTHER WORDS FROM slide

Words nearby slide

Words related to slid

Example sentences from the Web for slid

British Dictionary definitions for slid

verb slides, sliding, slid (slɪd), slid or slidden (ˈslɪdən)

noun

Derived forms of slide

Word Origin for slide

Medical definitions for slid

n.

Scientific definitions for slid

Idioms and Phrases with slid