Definition

Adjective 1. Resembling a snake in form or movement: Having the winding, curving, or twisting shape characteristic of a snake. 2. Sinuous or winding: Marked by a long, curving, and twisting path or pattern. 3. (Archaic/Figurative) Treacherous or sly: Having a deceitful, cunning, or malicious nature, like the symbolic attributes of a snake.

Usage and Examples

• The snaky river wound its way through the deep valley.
• She drew a snaky line across the page with a single, fluid motion.
• The old map showed a snaky trail leading up the mountain.
• (Archaic/Figurative) He was known for his snaky dealings and untrustworthy character.

Advanced Usage

• "Snaky" is often used descriptively for physical geography (rivers, roads, cracks) and patterns (lines, hair, vines).
• The figurative sense meaning "treacherous" is now less common and can sound literary or dated. Modern synonyms like "devious" or "two-faced" are more frequently used for people.

Variants and Related Words

• Snake (n): The reptile from which the adjective is derived.
• Snakelike (adj): A synonym, often interchangeable with the primary meaning of "resembling a snake."
• Serpentine (adj): A close synonym, often used in more formal or technical contexts (e.g., serpentine belt, serpentine river).

Synonyms

• Sinuous
• Winding
• Twisting
• Curving
• Meandering
• Serpentine

Antonyms

• Straight
• Direct
• Linear

Idioms and Phrases

• A snaky path/road: Emphasizes a very winding and indirect route.
  • We followed a snaky path through the dense forest.
• Snaky hair: Often used to describe hair that is long, loose, and wavy, or metaphorically (like Medusa's hair) to imply a wild or dangerous quality.
  • The figure in the painting had a crown of snaky hair.

Adjective

1. resembling a serpent in form
   • a serpentine wall
   • snaky ridges in the sand