gliding

/ˈɡlaɪdɪŋ/
verb
  1. Present participle of glide: to move smoothly and continuously, often without effort.
    • The eagle was gliding effortlessly on the warm air currents.
    • The boat was gliding over the calm water toward the island.
    • She is gliding across the dance floor with perfect poise.
  2. To fly a glider or hang glider as a sport or activity.
    • The pilot was gliding silently above the clouds.
    • They spent the afternoon gliding over the countryside.
    • He has been gliding for years and has logged hundreds of hours.
  3. To move or pass smoothly, quietly, or gradually (used figuratively).
    • The years gliding past made him realize how much had changed.
    • She is gliding through her new job with confidence.
    • Time was gliding by as they talked late into the night.
noun
  1. The sport or activity of flying in a glider (an aircraft without an engine).
    • The club offers lessons in both hang gliding and traditional gliding.
    • Gliding requires skill in using air currents to stay aloft.
    • She took up gliding last summer and now flies every weekend.
  2. The action of moving smoothly and continuously with little effort or noise.
    • The gliding of the elevator was so smooth she didn't notice it moving.
    • He watched the gliding of the skater's blades on the ice.
    • The gliding of the swan across the lake was graceful.
adjective
  1. Moving or able to move smoothly and continuously.
    • The gliding steps of the dancer were almost hypnotic.
    • He admired the gliding flight of the paper airplane.
    • The gliding motion of the snake fascinated the children.