Serpentine means winding and twisting like a snake. It describes anything that curves back and forth in smooth, flowing S-shapes.

A serpentine path through a garden doesn't go straight from one end to the other. Instead, it curves gently left, then right, then left again, making the walk more interesting and letting you see the flowers from different angles. Mountain roads are often serpentine because they need to climb steep slopes gradually rather than going straight up. A river might follow a serpentine course across flat land, creating loops and bends as it finds the easiest path downward.

The word can describe physical things, like a serpentine crack in a sidewalk or the serpentine shape of a dragon in Chinese art. It can also describe movement: a dancer might move across the stage in a serpentine pattern, or a soccer player might make a serpentine run around defenders, weaving left and right to avoid being tackled.

When geologists use the word serpentine, they're referring to a specific type of smooth, often greenish rock that has a surface pattern resembling snakeskin. This rock is the state rock of California.