snail

1 of 2

noun

ˈsnāl How to pronounce snail (audio)
Synonyms of snailnext
1
: a gastropod mollusk especially when having an external enclosing spiral shell
2
: a slow-moving or sluggish person or thing
snaillike
ˈsnāl-ˌlīk How to pronounce snail (audio)
adjective

snail

2 of 2

verb

snailed; snailing; snails

intransitive verb

: to move, act, or go slowly or lazily

Synonyms of snail

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of snail in a Sentence

Noun go and tell the snails in the back to hurry up Verb the highway construction work created a bottleneck that had cars snailing for the next five miles
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Because beyond the cool innovations and technology (special shoutout to PDRN and snail mucin), K-beauty ingredients just work so damn well. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026 The first episode focused on burrowing owls in Cape Coral, while the second highlighted one of Gadberry's favorite birds of prey, the snail kite. — Patrick Connolly Orlando Sentinel, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
Visible through the sapphire caseback, the movement showcases refined finishing, including Côtes de Genève, chamfering and snailing on the twin-barrel ratchet wheels, along with polished, blued and chamfered screws. — Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2026 The texture is exceptionally satisfying—its sticky, almost snail mucin-like feel sinks instantly into skin. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snail

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English snægl; akin to Old High German snecko snail, snahhan to creep

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snail was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing snail

Rhymes for snail

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Browse Nearby Words

snag tree
snail
snail's pace
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snail. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

snail

noun
ˈsnā(ə)l
1
: any of numerous small mollusks that are gastropods usually with a spiral shell and that include some living on land and others living in water
2
: a slow-moving person or thing

Medical Definition

snail

noun
ˈsnā(ə)l How to pronounce snail (audio)
: any of various gastropod mollusks and especially those having an external enclosing spiral shell including some which are important in medicine as intermediate hosts of trematodes

More from Merriam-Webster on snail

Nglish: Translation of snail for Spanish Speakers

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