What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sidling
Example
The cat was sidling along the wall, trying to avoid being seen. [sidling: verb]
Example
He sidled up to her and whispered in her ear. [sidled: past tense]
slink
Example
The thief slinked away into the night, hoping not to be caught. [slinked: past tense]
Example
She watched as the cat slunk through the grass, stalking its prey. [slink: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Slink is less common than sidle in everyday language. Sidling is more versatile and can be used to describe both human and animal movement, while slink is more commonly used to describe animal movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sidling and slink?
Both sidling and slinking are informal words that are typically used in casual conversation or creative writing. Neither word is considered formal or appropriate for academic or professional contexts.
