amble

[ am-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, am·bled, am·bling.

1. to go at a slow, easy pace; stroll; saunter:

   He ambled around the town.

   Synonyms: meander, ramble

2. (of a horse) to go at a slow pace with the legs moving in lateral pairs and usually having a four-beat rhythm.

noun

1. an ambling gait.
2. a slow, easy walk or gentle pace.
3. a stroll.

amble

/ ˈæmbəl /

verb

1. to walk at a leisurely relaxed pace
2. (of a horse) to move slowly, lifting both legs on one side together
3. to ride a horse at an amble or leisurely pace

noun

1. a leisurely motion in walking
2. a leisurely walk
3. the ambling gait of a horse

Derived Forms

• ˈambler, noun

Other Words From

• ambler noun
• ambling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of amble¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French ambler < Latin ambulāre to walk, equivalent to amb- ambi- + -ulāre to step ( *-el- + stem vowel -ā-; cognate with Welsh el- may go, Greek elaúnein to set in motion)

Word History and Origins

Origin of amble¹

C14: from Old French ambler, from Latin ambulāre to walk

Example Sentences

Customers used carts and handheld baskets and ambled the aisles with their lists and often those lists expanded because there were so many products.

From Los Angeles Times

After finally getting out of the car, he went inside a school building for a few minutes before ambling across the street to the historic church.

From Los Angeles Times

But when feeder came calling, they ambled up to the side of the tank and turned their jets away.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump ambled straight to the podium, but Harris crossed in front of them, as if expecting to meet him in the middle, something he has never done.

From Salon

The most shocking incident came one night when the neighbors were about to go to sleep — their daughters and grandchildren were visiting — and five goats ambled into their living room.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drift
• loiter
• meander
• mosey
• ramble
• sashay
• saunter
• stroll
• toddle
• wander