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There are so many words for different kinds of walk or the same kind of walk that at certain point, I thought the list would never end. And I know there are more walks out there beyond this list. I wonder if the English speakers of the ancient times enjoyed walking more than people speaking other languages –I mean how else to explain the presence of so many words for walking.
Walk In An Idle Way
ramble: walk for pleasure, typically without a definite route.
stroll: walk in a leisurely way.
amble: walk or move at a slow, relaxed pace.
saunter: walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort.
perambulate: walk or travel through or around a place or area, especially for pleasure and in a leisurely way.
loiter: travel indolently and with frequent pauses; stand or wait around idly or without apparent purpose.
dawdle: move slowly and idly.
straggle: move along slowly, typically in a small irregular group, so as to remain some distance behind the person or people in front.
Long Or Arduous Walk
hike: a long walk, especially in the country or wilderness.
trek: a long arduous journey, especially one made on foot.
slog: walk or move with difficulty or effort. This word has other meanings, like to work hard.
trudge: walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions.
plod: walk doggedly and slowly with heavy steps.
Walk Heavily, reluctantly, or stealthily
tramp: walk heavily or noisily. This word is more often used as a noun to indicate a homeless person moving from one place to another.
trail: walk or move slowly or wearily. This word has an emphasis on to follow something or somebody while walking.
traipse: walk or move wearily or reluctantly.
skulk: move stealthily or furtively.
Walk To Be Seen By Others
promenade: take a leisurely public walk, ride, or drive so as to meet or be seen by others. I’ve only seen this word used as a noun to indicate a beautifully paved public walkway.
parade: walk or march in public in a formal procession or in an ostentatious or attention-seeking way.
stride: walk with long, decisive steps in a specified direction.
Walk Fast
trot: (with reference to a horse or other four-legged animal) proceed or cause to proceed at a pace faster than a walk, lifting each diagonal pair of legs alternately.
scurry: (of a person or small animal) move hurriedly with short quick steps. This word most likely means to move quicker than a typical walk.
Other Walks
ambulate: walk; move about.
preambulate: (archaic and rarely used) to walk in front or ahead of, to precede.
tread: walk in a specified way. My understanding is that this word is more about to press on something while walking.
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Maybe because walks were a big deal back then? I mean, what classic does not include a walk? Haha. Also can you do one like this but on food or eating? Really curious what comes out of that list.
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Yes, I just did a post on food and drink and I love your suggestion. It is so inspiring. Actually food is a very big part of the scene of diversity and it should be explored more. I am so into it. Again what a wonderful suggestion.
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Then there is the Ministry of Silly Walks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCLp7zodUiI
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LOL. I remember watching a movie by Monty Python, but forget what the name is. Anyway, it was about the plague during the medieval time and there are knights fighting. LOL.
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Ah yes! Monty Python and the Holy Grail!
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Always enjoying your new word posts … keep going, keep going, keep going! 😺
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Thank you. I am glad you like it. LOL. That means a lot to me. A lot of love and hugs for you.
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What about Woks in the Kitchen?
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Hahaha. Wok is so similar to walk.
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Interesting post as always! As for me, i’ve always associated promenade with dancing, because ‘prom’ 😄
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That’s so true. I didn’t even know this word has a meaning about walk, but I googled and it does have one less often used meaning as walk. LOL. Yes, people used promenade more as a paved public walk for prom like display–like what you said.
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Perambulating is fun as is sauntering ambling and yes even dawdling! Am quite in favor of dawdling sometimes😜
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Me too. I love dawdling and meandering and loitering. Although here people are very much against loitering of any sorts, except in a park during a certain time, I somehow feel that the English speaking people must love walking in an aimless way in the past. This is why there are so many words about walking in a leisurely pace.
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My favorite, under the heading, Walk In An Idle Way, would be “Mosey.” Meaning, “to move in a leisurely or aimless manner.”
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Wow, I love this word. I just googled it and people do use them regularly. LOL.
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I have mostly used all of them. That’s a lot of walking! 😄
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Hahaha. I hardly used any of them. I am so anti-adventurous when it comes to words. LOL.
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Haha! I like that. 🙂
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Thank you for visiting and commenting.
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