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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl beware the temptations of the serpent
Recent Examples on the Web While that bag was made from anaconda—a nod to the Visconti serpent found on the marque’s badge—other available materials include Italian lambskin, crocodile and ostrich. 
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2022 The leaping, undulating arches that define the replacement for the old 6th Street Bridge have been compared to a serpent or ocean waves. James Raineystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 They’re led by Matthew Evansford (a brilliant Michael Jibson), who preaches to anyone who will listen, as well as anyone who won’t, that the serpent has reappeared after years away to feed on their sins. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 12 May 2022 In just moments, the focus of the investigation changed for Colbert from a cold-blooded serpent to a human who killed in cold blood. Chris O'connell, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2022 Closer inspection revealed the gray and black serpent was actually made of rubber, investigators say. al, 19 May 2022 Well, maybe the blue-and-white Water Snake necklace, a serpent that wraps the neck with five cabochon Ceylon sapphires, a 4.49 carat diamond, and a plethora of other diamonds and lapis lazuli. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 21 June 2022 Human and animal merge in a fanged basket-carrier encircled by a serpent, edging the representation of animal anatomy into something larger than itself. Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2022 After fishermen claim they were attacked by the serpent, Cora becomes more determined to understand what’s in the water. Rodney Ho, ajc, 15 May 2022 See More
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2022 The leaping, undulating arches that define the replacement for the old 6th Street Bridge have been compared to a serpent or ocean waves. James Raineystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 They’re led by Matthew Evansford (a brilliant Michael Jibson), who preaches to anyone who will listen, as well as anyone who won’t, that the serpent has reappeared after years away to feed on their sins. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 12 May 2022 In just moments, the focus of the investigation changed for Colbert from a cold-blooded serpent to a human who killed in cold blood. Chris O'connell, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2022 Closer inspection revealed the gray and black serpent was actually made of rubber, investigators say. al, 19 May 2022 Well, maybe the blue-and-white Water Snake necklace, a serpent that wraps the neck with five cabochon Ceylon sapphires, a 4.49 carat diamond, and a plethora of other diamonds and lapis lazuli. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 21 June 2022 Human and animal merge in a fanged basket-carrier encircled by a serpent, edging the representation of animal anatomy into something larger than itself. Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2022 After fishermen claim they were attacked by the serpent, Cora becomes more determined to understand what’s in the water. Rodney Ho, ajc, 15 May 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
serpent
noun
ser·pent ˈsər-pənt
: a usually large snake
serpent
noun
1
as in snake
a limbless reptile with a long body an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- snake
- viper
- cobra
- python
- boa
- rattlesnake
- adder
- anaconda
- copperhead
- mamba
- asp
- constrictor
- krait
- racer
- sea serpent
- moccasin
- water snake
- garter snake
- bushmaster
- worm snake
- green snake
- gopher snake
- coral snake
- bull snake
- milk snake
- rat snake
- taipan
- pit viper
- indigo snake
- sea snake
- blacksnake
- pine snake
- chicken snake
- king cobra
- king snake
- hognose snake
- horned viper
- black racer
- blue racer
- diamondback rattlesnake
- fer-de-lance
- water moccasin
- puff adder
- sidewinder
- cottonmouth moccasin
2
as in devil
the supreme personification of evil often represented as the ruler of hell beware the temptations of the serpent Synonyms & Similar Words
- devil
- Satan
- archfiend
- Lucifer
- fiend
- Beelzebub
- dickens
- Old Nick
- deuce
- Mephistopheles
3
as in traitor
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance a serpent in their midst had betrayed the revolutionaries to the authorities Synonyms & Similar Words
- traitor
- snake
- betrayer
- backstabber
- quisling
- turncoat
- apostate
- double-dealer
- Judas
- double-crosser
- subversive
- renegade
- subverter
- conspirator
- collaborator
- intriguer
- collaborationist
- informant
- schemer
- recreant
- informer
- plotter
- sellout
- defector
- coconspirator
- deserter
- gossiper
- snitcher
- snitch
- tattler
- talker
- accommodationist
- stool pigeon
- gossipmonger
- squealer
- tattletale
- blabbermouth
- rumormonger
- rat
- talebearer
- telltale
- gossip