slide

Universal Words verb, noun verb (slid, slid ) move smoothly / quietly 1 [usually +adv./prep.] to move easily over a smooth or wet surface; to make sth move in this way: [V] We slid down the grassy slope. * The drawers slide in and out easily. * [VN] She slid her hand along the rail. * You can slide the front seats forward if necessary. * [V-ADJ] The automatic doors slid open. [also VN-ADJ] 2 [+adv./prep.] to move quickly and quietly, for example in order not to be noticed; to make sth move in this way: [V] He slid into bed. * She slid out while no one was looking. * [VN] The man slid the money quickly into his pocket. * He slid a shy look at Claire. become lower / worse 3 [V] ~ (from...) (to...) to become gradually lower or of less value: Shares slid to a 10-year low. 4 [V] ~ (down / into / towards sth) to move gradually into a worse situation: The industry has slid into decline. * They were sliding towards bankruptcy. * He got depressed and began to let things slide (= failed to give things the attention they needed). noun becoming lower / worse 1 [C,usually sing.] a change to a lower or worse condition: a downward slide in the price of oil * the team's slide down the table * talks to prevent a slide into civil war * The economy is on the slide (= getting worse). * a stock market slide on ice 2 [sing.] a long, smooth movement on ice or a smooth surface: Her car went into a slide. * a front wheel slide for children 3 [C] a structure with a steep slope that children use for sliding down: to go down the slide fall of rock 4 [C] a sudden fall of a large amount of rock or earth down a hill: I was afraid of starting a slide of loose stones. seealsoLANDSLIDE photograph 5 [C] a small piece of film held in a frame that can be shown on a screen when you shine a light through it SYNTRANSPARENCY: a talk with colour slides * a slide show / projector for microscope 6 [C] a small piece of glass that sth is placed on so that it can be looked at under a MICROSCOPE part of musical instrument 7 [C] a part of a musical instrument or other device that slides backwards and forwards for hair 8 [C] (BrE) = HAIRSLIDE