Glide

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.

• stumble
• lurch
• trudge

• 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.