amble

American  

[am-buhl] / ˈæm bəl /

verb (used without object)

ambled, ambling

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.

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noun

1. an ambling gait.

2. a slow, easy walk or gentle pace.

3. a stroll.

amble British  

/ 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

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noun

1. a leisurely motion in walking

2. a leisurely walk

3. the ambling gait of a horse

Other Word Forms

• ambler noun
• amblingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of amble

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)

Example Sentences

Visitors to the Holly museum would amble over those specs as they arrived and departed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Described as a thriving neighbourhood, Canton was rated for its selection of shops and cafes "which are well worth the amble out of town".

From BBC

One day after the government shutdown ended , a ranger ambled down a trail in Joshua Tree National Park, bathed in golden light.

From Los Angeles Times

He ambled, he strolled, he sauntered, and seemed in no rush to get to his destination.

From Literature

He ambled to the kitchen and picked up the phone.

From Literature

Related Words

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