snail

American  

[sneyl] / sneɪl /

noun

1. any mollusk of the class Gastropoda, having a spirally coiled shell and a ventral muscular foot on which it slowly glides about.

2. a slow or lazy person; sluggard.

3. Machinery. a cam having the form of a spiral.

4. Midwestern and Western U.S. a sweet roll in spiral form, especially a cinnamon roll or piece of Danish pastry.

---

snail British  

/ sneɪl /

noun

1. any of numerous terrestrial or freshwater gastropod molluscs with a spirally coiled shell, esp any of the family Helicidae, such as Helix aspersa ( garden snail )

2. any other gastropod with a spirally coiled shell, such as a whelk

3. a slow-moving or lazy person or animal

---

Other Word Forms

• snail-like adjective
• snaillike adjective

Etymology

Origin of snail

before 900; Middle English snail, snayl ( e ), Old English snegel; cognate with Low German snagel, German (dial.) Schnegel

Example Sentences

An Irish reporter asked Trump about the proposed expansion of his golf resort in County Clare, which is currently on hold over the fate of a protected species of snail.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026

They dissect ingredient lists, film unboxings and record "Get Ready With Me" videos built around ideas such as "glass skin", sheet masks and, of course, snail mucin.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

No matter how much I’ve poked fun at my grandfather for driving like a snail my entire life, he continues to drive slowly on streets and freeways.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

There will be a paper trail, either email or snail mail.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

People carved spoons from wood, or we collected empty snail shells, which make really good spoons.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

Related Words

• clam
• conch
• crawfish
• crustacean
• lobster
• mollusk
• mussel
• oyster
• prawn
• scallop
• shrimp