Glide

v.calm, capablewarm

What it means

To move smoothly and continuously with little visible effort.

Reach for it when describing graceful motion across a surface, through water, or through air

The skater glided across the rink in one unbroken curve.

everyday
coast
momentum carries the movement with little effort
not when Coast can imply declining effort and is wrong when precise control drives the motion.
everyday
skim
movement stays lightly on or just above a surface
not when Skim suggests brief contact or shallow coverage rather than continuous grace.
everyday
slide
continuous contact with a surface produces the movement
not when Slide may be uncontrolled or abrupt rather than graceful.
warm
float
buoyancy or suspension matters more than direction
not when Floating can be stationary and lacks glide's purposeful path.
literary
drift
gentle motion follows current or air without a firm destination
not when Drift removes the control that a gliding athlete or craft may show.
literary
sail
smooth progress feels confident and expansive
not when Sail exaggerates movement that is slow, low, or carefully constrained.
literary
soar
high, sustained flight is the impressive feature
not when Soar does not fit movement along the ground or water.

glide across
Swans glide across the inlet before the first ferry arrives.
glide through
The narrow boat can glide through the reeds without disturbing them.
glide effortlessly
She seemed to glide effortlessly through the final sequence.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.