lope

[ lohp ]

verb (used without object)

, loped, lop·ing.

1. to move or run with bounding steps, as a quadruped, or with a long, easy stride, as a person.
2. to canter leisurely with a rather long, easy stride, as a horse.

verb (used with object)

, loped, lop·ing.

1. to cause to lope, as a horse.

noun

1. the act or the gait of loping.
2. a long, easy stride.

lope

/ ləʊp /

verb

1. intr (of a person) to move or run with a long swinging stride
2. intr (of four-legged animals) to run with a regular bounding movement
3. to cause (a horse) to canter with a long easy stride or (of a horse) to canter in this manner

noun

1. a long steady gait or stride

Derived Forms

• ˈloper, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lope¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb lopen, loupen, laupen “to jump, leap,” from Old Norse hlaupa; leap, loup ²( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of lope¹

C15: from Old Norse hlaupa to leap ; compare Middle Dutch lopen to run

Example Sentences

She hurtled through the air most weeks as Lynda Carter’s stunt double on the hit television series “Wonder Woman” and mimed Ms. Carter’s leggy lope.

From New York Times

While Samson had a rhythmic gait, the wolf’s loping seemed to change every few seconds as he adjusted his stride for the terrain.

From Literature

“The Ballad of Paladin,” a loping instrumental, was used as the theme for the CBS television series “Have Gun — Will Travel.”

From New York Times

People get hurt in this movie, but “DogMan,” loping along like one of its pups, doesn’t linger over the violence.

From New York Times

A few times we came across a three-legged coyote, affectionately known by locals as Tripod, loping along the empty road.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gallop
• trot