serpent

noun

ser·​pent ˈsər-pənt 

1

a

archaic : a noxious creature that creeps, hisses, or stings

b

: snake

2

: devil sense 1

3

: a treacherous person

Synonyms

• snake
• viper

Examples of serpent in a Sentence

an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl

beware the temptations of the serpent

Recent Examples on the Web

Aeterna means everlasting or perpetual, which dovetails with the lore behind the serpent, which is said to represent eternity. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025

In the early 1980s, Saint Phalle created a namesake perfume with a bottle featuring a sculpted snake; in turn, Bohan made for Saint Phalle a shimmering gold pantsuit and headpiece inspired by her serpent to wear for the perfume’s launch event (which Warhol hosted). —Dana Thomas, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025

The naga, a Sanskrit word for snake or serpent, is an anthropomorphic demigod of sorts that appears in Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain cultures. —Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025

The rapper completed her look with gold and diamond Le Vian earrings, as well as jeweled serpent cocktail rings. —Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin serpent-, serpens, from present participle of serpere to creep; akin to Greek herpein to creep, Sanskrit sarpati he creeps

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing serpent

• sea serpent

Kids Definition

serpent

noun

ser·​pent ˈsər-pənt 

: a usually large snake