saunter

[ sawn-ter, sahn- ]

verb (used without object)

1. to walk with a leisurely gait; stroll:

   sauntering through the woods.

   Synonyms: meander, ramble, amble

noun

1. a leisurely walk or ramble; stroll.

   Synonyms: meander, ramble, amble

2. a leisurely gait.

   Synonyms: meander, ramble, amble

saunter

/ ˈsɔːntə /

verb

1. to walk in a casual manner; stroll

noun

1. a leisurely pace or stroll
2. a leisurely old-time dance

Derived Forms

• ˈsaunterer, noun

Other Words From

• saunter·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of saunter¹

First recorded in 1660–70; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of saunter¹

C17 (meaning: to wander aimlessly), C15 (to muse): of obscure origin

Example Sentences

Chris Smith didn’t just saunter into his position as director of equipment operations for the Chargers.

From Los Angeles Times

He once had his ballerinas — dressed elegantly as if on the set of “Mad Men” — saunter onto the stage and gather around a pie before falling to their knees like resplendent crows and devouring it.

From Los Angeles Times

They had watched a man saunter past in the mall corridor, unhurriedly, swinging a large knife in his hand back and forth.

From New York Times

He and Jackson, who’s been waiting at the door, sniff and saunter away from each other casually though for the next day or two, they will chase each other and wrestle more than usual.

From Salon

It sets the tone for “Ocean’s Motion,” a 1975 melding of coolness and groove to Chuck Berry songs, in which five dancers, with the air of bored teenagers, loop around one another with flirtatious spins and saunter across the stage in loping, bopping runs.

From New York Times