Definition

1. Noun:

   • The activity of flying a glider: Refers to the sport or act of piloting an unpowered aircraft that flies using air currents.
   • The act of moving smoothly along a surface while remaining in contact with it: A continuous, effortless motion across a surface, such as sliding or coasting.
   • A vowellike sound that serves as a consonant (Phonetics): A speech sound, like /j/ in "yes" or /w/ in "we," that is produced without friction as it transitions from one vowel sound to another.

2. Verb:

   • To move smoothly and effortlessly: To proceed with a continuous, easy motion, as if without friction or effort.
   • To fly in or as if in a glider plane: To fly through the air without engine power, using rising air currents to stay aloft.
   • To cause to move or pass silently, smoothly, or imperceptibly: To make something move in a quiet, fluid, or barely noticeable manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • He took up glide as a hobby, spending weekends at the airfield.
  • The skater's glide across the ice was graceful and silent.
  • In English, the sounds /w/ and /j/ are classified as glides.

• Verb:

  • The swans glide across the surface of the lake.
  • The pilot learned to glide the aircraft after the engine failed.
  • She managed to glide the heavy box across the floor without making a sound.

Advanced Usage

• "to glide into": to transition smoothly or imperceptibly into a state or action.

  • As the conversation lulled, the meeting seemed to glide into a state of informal chatting.

• "to glide over": to move smoothly above something; figuratively, to treat a topic superficially without going into detail.

  • The documentary chose to glide over the more controversial aspects of the history.

Variants and Related Words

• Glider (n): A light aircraft designed to fly without an engine.
• Gliding (n): The sport or activity of flying a glider.
• Glissade (n/v): A controlled slide down a steep slope, especially in mountaineering or ballet.

Synonyms

• Slide: To move along a surface while maintaining continuous contact.
• Coast: To move, especially downhill, without using power.
• Sail: To move smoothly and majestically, like a ship or through the air.
• Soar: To fly or rise high, often without flapping wings.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Glide by/past: To move past smoothly and often unnoticed.

  • The hours seemed to glide by as we worked on the project.

• Glide through: To pass through or complete something with smooth, effortless ease.

  • She managed to glide through the exam, finding all the questions straightforward.

Related Idioms

• Glide on air: To move with extreme lightness and happiness.

  • After receiving the good news, she felt like she was gliding on air.

• Glide path: (From aviation) The proper course for an aircraft's descent; figuratively, a planned course of action leading to a goal.

  • The new policy sets a clear glide path for the company's expansion into Asian markets.

Noun

1. the activity of flying a glider
2. the act of moving smoothly along a surface while remaining in contact with it
   • his slide didn't stop until the bottom of the hill
   • the children lined up for a coast down the snowy slope
3. a vowellike sound that serves as a consonant

Verb

1. cause to move or pass silently, smoothly, or imperceptibly
2. fly in or as if in a glider plane
3. move smoothly and effortlessly