Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sloping channel or smooth surface for descending: A structure or natural incline allowing things or people to move down smoothly, often for play or transport.
   • A smooth, continuous movement: The act of moving effortlessly over a surface while maintaining contact.
   • A small glass plate: A flat, rectangular piece of glass used to hold objects for examination under a microscope.
   • A photographic transparency: A small framed picture for projection.
   • A downward land movement: (Geology) The descent of a large mass of earth, rock, or snow.
   • A musical ornament: (Music) A rapid, smooth glide from one note to another.

2. Verb:

   • To move smoothly along a surface: To glide effortlessly while maintaining continuous contact.
   • To move unobtrusively or easily: To pass or go somewhere smoothly and quietly.
   • To move sideways or slip uncontrollably: To skid or slip, often in an unintended direction.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The children played on the slide at the park.
  • The geologist studied the rock slide.
  • Place the specimen on the microscope slide.

• Verb:

  • He slid the document across the table.
  • She slid into the room without anyone noticing.
  • The car slid on the icy road.

Advanced Usage

• "To let things slide": To neglect or allow a situation to deteriorate through inaction.

  • He was so busy that he let his paperwork slide.

• "To slide into": To gradually enter a (often negative) state or condition.

  • After losing his job, he slid into depression.

• "Slide over/around": To avoid dealing directly with an issue.

  • The politician tried to slide around the difficult question.

Variants and Related Words

• Slider (n): A person or thing that slides; a type of fastball in baseball; a graphical control element on a computer interface.
• Sliding (adj/gerund): Moving smoothly along a surface. (e.g., ).
• Slide show (n): A presentation of a series of projected images.

Synonyms

• Glide: To move smoothly and continuously.
• Slip: To slide unintentionally, often losing traction.
• Coast: To move, especially downhill, without power or effort.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Slide by/past: To move past something smoothly or unnoticed.

  • The deadline slid by before I could finish.

• Slide down: To descend by sliding.

  • The toddler loved to slide down the banister.

• Slide into: To enter a place or state smoothly.

  • He slid into the driver's seat.

Related Idioms

• On a slippery slope: In a situation likely to lead to failure or disaster.

  • Reducing safety standards is a slippery slope.

• Slide rule: (Historical) A manual device used for mathematical calculations. Used metaphorically for outdated methods.

  • That old policy is about as useful as a slide rule.

Noun

1. sloping channel through which things can descend
2. a transparency mounted in a frame; viewed with a slide projector
3. 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
4. plaything consisting of a sloping chute down which children can slide
5. (music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
   • the violinist was indulgent with his swoops and slides
6. (geology) the descent of a large mass of earth or rocks or snow etc.
7. a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study

Verb

1. move smoothly along a surface
   • He slid the money over to the other gambler
2. to pass or move unobtrusively or smoothly
   • They slid through the wicket in the big gate
3. move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
   • the wheels skidded against the sidewalk