serpentine

1 of 3

adjective

ser·​pen·​tine ˈsər-pən-ˌtēn How to pronounce serpentine (audio)
-ˌtīn
1
: of or resembling a serpent (as in form or movement)
2
: subtly wily or tempting
3
a
: winding or turning one way and another
a serpentine road
b
: having a compound curve whose central curve is convex
serpentinely adverb

serpentine

2 of 3

noun (1)

: something that winds sinuously

serpentine

3 of 3

noun (2)

ser·​pen·​tine ˈsər-pən-ˌtēn How to pronounce serpentine (audio)
: a mineral or rock consisting essentially of a hydrous magnesium silicate usually having a dull green color and often a mottled appearance

Did you know?

A snake moves by curving and winding along the ground. Roads through the Pyrenees, the mountains that separate Spain from France, tend to be serpentine, curving back and forth on themselves up and down the steep slopes. Serpentine has other meanings as well. As a noun, it's the name for a soft green mineral, and also for the party streamers you might throw at midnight on New Year's Eve. The serpentine belt under the hood in your car is the long, looping belt that most of the car's accessories—the AC, the power steering, the alternator, and so on—depend on to get their power.

Examples of serpentine in a Sentence

Adjective the country inn lies at the end of a rather serpentine road, but it's worth the trip
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In the strange weather and serpentine melodies of Classic Objects, Jenny Hval walks a labyrinth of memory, through a Carl Theodor Dreyer screening, past Prada Marfa, into the woods. Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024 The serpentine trip-hop track lives somewhere in the haze between haunting and euphoric, with a warmth and sensuality that permeate the spectral space beneath pinku’s soft, siren-like voice. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
The twists and turns of Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial for the fatal 2021 shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins just took a serpentine curve. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 July 2024 The asteroid’s sample largely consists of clay minerals, including serpentine, which makes the sample remarkably similar to rocks found at midocean ridges on Earth. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 27 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for serpentine 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serpentine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French serpentin, from Late Latin serpentinus, from Latin serpent-, serpens

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French serpentin, Medieval Latin serpentina, serpentinum, from Late Latin, feminine & neuter of serpentinus resembling a serpent

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1519, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of serpentine was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near serpentine

Cite this Entry

“Serpentine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serpentine. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

serpentine

adjective
ser·​pen·​tine
ˈsər-pən-ˌtēn,
-ˌtīn
1
: of or resembling a serpent
2
: winding or turning one way and another
a serpentine path through the woods

More from Merriam-Webster on serpentine

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