Serpent

/ˈsɜːpənt/ · noun

Meaning

(now literary) A snake, especially a large or dangerous one..

Definitions by Sense

1. (now literary) A snake, especially a large or dangerous one.
2. (figurative) A subtle, treacherous, malicious person.
3. (music) An obsolete wind instrument in the brass family, whose shape is suggestive of a snake (Wikipedia article).
4. A kind of firework with a serpentine motion.
5. (mythology, fantasy) A snake-like monster, such as a dragon or sea serpent.
6. (obsolete, intransitive) To wind or meander
7. (obsolete, transitive) To encircle.

Example Sentences

He falls into it, who has digg'd a Pit. Who breaks a Hedge is with a Serpent bit.

Coiled up behind the shrub, […] was a green imamba, the most dreaded of all South African serpents.

Any serpent six feet long looks formidable; and over that length, one takes on the aspect of a chimera.

He is a very serpent in my way.

'Dogs and serpents,' She began in a low voice that gradually gathered power as she went on, till the place rang with it. Eaters of human flesh, two things have ye done. First, ye have attacked these strangers, being white men, and would have slain their servant, and for that alone death is your reward.'

Then Beowulf too rallied. With his whetted dagger he slit a gash in the serpent's middle.

fruit-trees, whose boles are serpented with excellent vines

Synonyms for serpent

Antonyms for serpent

Related Words

Word Forms

• serpents
• serpenting
• serpented

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions