Coulisser

Coulisser is a French verb meaning to slide or glide along a surface or within a track. It describes a smooth, controlled movement of an object along a groove, rail, or hollow. The term is commonly used for practical movements such as a door that slides on its rails, a drawer that slides shut, or curtains that slide along a rod. It can also refer to the gradual progression of something along a path, or to moving with little friction.

The noun coulisse shares a root and can denote a groove or track in carpentry and mechanics, and in theater the plural coulisses refers to backstage areas; both senses reflect the idea of guiding or hiding movement. In everyday French, coulisser is often preferred over glisser when the motion is guided along a slot or channel.

Conjugation: coulisser is a regular -er verb. Present tense forms follow standard -er endings with the stem couliss-. For example, present: je coulisse, tu coulisses, il coulisse; passé composé: j'ai coulissé; future: je coulisserai. Usage notes: the verb is more common when the movement is along a fixed path; glisser is more general for slipping or sliding without a defined track.

Examples:

Le tiroir coulisse facilement.

Les volets coulissent le long du cadre.

Le rideau coulisse sur la tringle.