snaky

American  

[sney-kee] / ˈsneɪ ki /

adjective

snakier, snakiest

1. of or relating to snakes.

2. abounding in snakes, as a place.

3. snakelike; twisting, winding, or sinuous.

4. venomous; treacherous or insidious.

   a snaky remark.

5. consisting of, entwined with, or bearing a representation of snakes or serpents, as a ring.

6. Australian Informal. irritable, angry, or spiteful.

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snaky British  

/ ˈsneɪkɪ /

adjective

1. of or like a snake; sinuous

2. treacherous or insidious

3. infested with snakes

4. informal angry or bad-tempered

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Other Word Forms

• snakily adverb
• snakiness noun
• unsnaky adjective

Etymology

Origin of snaky

First recorded in 1560–70; snake + -y ¹

Example Sentences

On “Anatomical Fable of the Elements,” atop a snaky bassline and a throbbing beat, Ms. Muldrow poses questions: “Is your nose witness to the sweet life?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

It couldn’t have helped the DOJ’s position that Boasberg is probably one of the most experienced jurists in the U.S. judiciary when it comes to dealing with this administration’s snaky tactics.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

She added it was "almost snaky", starting gradually.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

To flip through the pages of a 13th century manuscript, one might believe the medieval era was beleaguered by more snaky dragons and man-murdering bunnies than temperamental tween girls.

From New York Times • Sep. 22, 2022

The road and the river twist thru ’em on snaky paths off to my right and sometimes it’s all I can do to keep them in sight.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness