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to waddle

to waddle

22 4.1
To walk with short steps and a clumsy side to side movement like a duck
  • verb
  • /ˈwɑːdəl/
translation icon : tambalearse
  • Alfie and Stevie waddled inside, with circus elf Jake not far behind.

I need to like slowly waddle my way to maintain bladder control.

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Examples

  • I glanced over at the fountain and the ducks that were waddling around, quacking.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • By the time Pete waddled into work, it was often as late as three or three-thirty.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • There were ducks in the pond, and she watched one waddle up onto the bank.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Pete was on his feet again, waddling back and forth in front of the bed.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The line moved again, and the woman ahead of Shirl waddled forward, pulling the child after her.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Caroline Dawson, still wearing her red suit, waddled in front of Arch, Julian, and me out to the kitchen.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Dolores Farley nodded and waddled away, puffing a little as she pushed the door open.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • All muddy and pumpkinless, the boy scrambled to his feet, waddling desperately toward the gully.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The toddler began to waddle across the playground, his arms outstretched for balance.

  • After the injury, she had to waddle to the car to avoid putting too much pressure on her leg.

Synonyms

to walk
vsto waddle
1.0

To move on foot at a normal speed

is a clumsy short-stepped motion with side to side sway rather than normal pace
to shuffle
vsto waddle
45 3.8

To walk by dragging your feet along the ground

uses short steps and a side to side sway rather than dragging motion
to totter
vsto waddle
11 4.8

To walk in an unsteady way as if about to fall

uses short clumsy steps with a swaying motion rather than near falling
to toddle
vsto waddle
7 4.2

To move with short unsteady steps like a child learning to walk

emphasizes a clumsy side to side sway rather than childlike steps
stagger
vsto waddle
5 5.0

An unsteady way of walking as if about to fall

has short clumsy swaying steps rather than large uneven movement
to shamble
vsto waddle
4 7.9

To walk awkwardly while dragging your feet

uses short choppy steps and a swaying motion rather than dragging feet
to wabble
vsto waddle
8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

features short steps plus a clumsy side to side sway rather than only shaking
to wamble
vsto waddle
  • Archaic
9.9

To move unsteadily while rolling from side to side

uses short steps with a clumsy swaying motion rather than rolling motion
to lollop
vsto waddle
9.1

To walk with an awkward, relaxed bounce

has short, clumsy steps with a side to side sway rather than bounce
to coggle
vsto waddle
9.9

To walk in a wobbly way as if about to fall

has steadier short steps combined with a clumsy side to side sway
to daddle
vsto waddle
  • Archaic
9.9

To walk with small, unsteady steps

moves with short clumsy steps and a swaying motion rather than tottering

How Clumsy

to stagger
49 4.0
to stumble
129 1.6
to waddle
22 4.1
to toddle
7 4.2
to walk
1.0

Surface Forms

waddle infinitive
waddled past
waddled past participle
waddling present participle
waddles third person singular

Etymology

The word waddle comes from a simple image of birds taking short, clumsy steps—people copied the duck's side-to-side walk. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine that movement, so to waddle is 'to walk with short steps and a swaying motion'.