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shamble

shamble

35 8.0
A slow, awkward walk that drags the feet
  • noun
  • /ˈʃæmbl/
translation icon : paso arrastrado
  • The soldier returned from the battlefield with a noticeable shamble, struggling to lift his feet properly.

McConnell made his announcement on the Senate floor and then took a fond shamble down memory lane.

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Examples

  • A stoop-shouldered little man in his late 60s, Harry Trumbo shambles along the street, headed for Mabel's Diner.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • After his injury, he moved with a shamble, dragging his feet as he walked down the street.

  • The place was a shambles and we eventually managed to make it here.

  • Sure enough, when I got to the mine, everything was a shambles.

  • I'm afraid the place is in a shambles.

  • Her loft is a bit of a shambles: books everywhere, lots of stuff in boxes.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The place was a shambles, with equipment and wires scattered all about the large rooms.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The inside was a shambles, with things strewn about, drawers open, and boxes everywhere.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Emperor Sarabian's expression was strangely detached as he looked out over the shambles of his government.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • My life's a shambles.

Synonyms

shuffle
vsshamble
11 3.9

A way of walking by dragging the feet along the ground

is more awkward and slow than this simple walking description
shambling
vsshamble
1 8.6

Walking with slow, dragging steps without lifting the feet properly

is more awkward and shows stronger dragging of the feet
shuffling
vsshamble
3.9

To walk slowly while dragging the feet so they barely lift

is more awkward and emphasizes slow, clumsy dragging rather than mere close foot motion

How Awkward

stagger
5 5.0
shamble
35 8.0
shuffle
11 3.9
walk
758 1.0
gait
23 5.0

Surface Forms

shamble singular
shambles plural

Etymology

Shamble as a noun names the slow, awkward way of walking and comes from the same root as the verb and the word shambles for a messy market. That's why a shamble is the dragging, tired walk you see after a long day or when someone is hurt.