waddle

[ wod-l ]

verb (used without object)

, wad·dled, wad·dling.

1. to walk with short steps, swaying or rocking from side to side, as a duck.
2. to move in any similar, slow, rocking manner; wobble:

   The ship waddled into port.

noun

1. an act or instance of waddling, especially a waddling gait.

waddle

/ ˈwɒdəl /

verb

1. to walk with short steps, rocking slightly from side to side

noun

1. a swaying gait or motion

Derived Forms

• ˈwaddling, adjective
• ˈwaddly, adjective
• ˈwaddler, noun

Other Words From

• waddler noun
• waddling·ly adverb
• waddly adjective
• un·waddling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of waddle¹

1350–1400; Middle English; wade, -le; compare German watteln

Word History and Origins

Origin of waddle¹

C16: probably frequentative of wade

Example Sentences

At least you can count on a cold, boxed meal and enough liquor to put you in a state of oblivion until you land and are shoehorned out of your seat to waddle aimlessly down a crowded aisle, held up by a guy who somehow managed to stash five pieces of luggage in the overhead bins against the rules.

From Salon

That part of the leg, they say, is where fibular reduction among some dinosaurs tens of millions of years ago helped make it possible for peacocks to strut, penguins to waddle, and turkeys to trot.

From Science Daily

Jaylen Waddle and former Ram Odell Beckham Jr. are other talented targets.

From Los Angeles Times

Tua Tagovailoa's return has certainly improved Miami, and he levelled the game with a touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle with 98 seconds left, but Allen got the Bills close enough for Bass to win it.

From BBC

"Rodri is a different player to the rest of them. He does everything and they did miss him today," said BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Chris Waddle, a former England international.

From BBC

Related Words

• toddle
• totter
• wiggle
• wobble