canter

¹ American  

[kan-ter] / ˈkæn tər /

noun

1. an easy gallop.

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verb (used with or without object)

• canters,
  present (3rd person singular)
• cantered,
  past participle,  past
• cantering
  present participle

1. to move or ride at a canter.

canter ² American  

[kan-ter] / ˈkæn tər /

noun

1. a person who is much given to the use of cant.

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canter British  

/ ˈkæntə /

noun

1. an easy three-beat gait of horses, etc, between a trot and a gallop in speed

2. easily; without effort

   he won at a canter

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verb

1. to move or cause to move at a canter

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• cantering
  present
• cantered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• canter
  simple
• canters
  simple
• have cantered
  perfect
• has cantered
  perfect
• am cantering
  progressive
• are cantering
  progressive
• is cantering
  progressive
• have been cantering
  perfect progressive
• has been cantering
  perfect progressive

Past

• cantered
  simple
• had cantered
  perfect
• was cantering
  progressive
• were cantering
  progressive
• had been cantering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will canter
  simple
• will have cantered
  perfect
• will be cantering
  progressive
• will have been cantering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of canter¹

First recorded in 1745–55; short for Canterbury to ride at a pace like that of Canterbury pilgrims

Origin of canter²

First recorded in 1870–75; cant ¹ + -er ¹

Explanation

To canter is to ride a horse at a speed between a trot and a gallop. When canter is a noun, it is a ride on a horse at that pace and so you can say to a friend, "Come with us for a canter!" As a verb, canter means to ride at the pace of a canter, which is a pretty easy rate of speed. In fact, the word comes from the phrase "Canterbury gallop" because in the Middle Ages people used to travel to the cathedral in Canterbury, England to visit the tomb of St. Thomas Becket. It was so popular an activity that the pace of the horses that the pilgrims rode on became known as the "Canterbury gallop" and the phrase was so commonly used that it was eventually shortened to canter.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

canter canters cantered cantering

The left-hander had just led England to victory in the first Test against India at Headingley with a majestic 149 in a canter to a target of 371.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

Five-time Champions League winners Barca struggled to find their rhythm in the first half but did enough after the break to clinch a top-eight league phase finish at a canter.

From Barron's ● Jan. 28, 2026

A nicely worked move sent Andrew Kellaway running through the Japan defence and he fed Flook to canter over the line.

From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2025

This is a team that won the title at a 10-point canter last term and has been strengthened by a remarkable summer spending spree.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2025

The horses moved at a quick canter down the trail.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Ms. Rinehart, whose podcast, “The Female Body Politic,” spotlights women’s history, canters through Rankin’s career with the same drive that Rankin exhibited, batting away critics and rarely acknowledging the complexity of federal politics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

Directed by Steven Spielberg from a script by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer, “The Post” canters along with crisp pacing and straightforward, unfussy clarity, its two icons-playing-icons bolstered by a superb cast of supporting players.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 6, 2017

It canters along at a pace that is quick enough to permit learning without getting bogged down.

From New York Times ● Nov. 22, 2016

Milner-Skudder has the freedom of St James’ Park but draws Fosita nicely and released Nonu on the wing, who canters into the corner for his landmark score.

From The Guardian ● Oct. 9, 2015

It is ten forty-five when Booth pulls back on the reins once again and canters up to the wooden drawbridge by the Navy Yard.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Australia's target of 205 meant the hosts having to make the highest total in a low-scoring match, but they cantered to victory in 28.2 overs thanks to Travis Head's sensational 123.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

Leading the Black-and-Gold's potent attacking trio with Bouanga and Martinez, Son cantered through the center of Miami's defense all night, raucously cheered by some 76,000 fans -- the second-largest attendance in MLS history.

From Barron's ● Feb. 22, 2026

The greenback sunk to a near four-year low as gold prices cantered past $5,200 a troy ounce, with haven investors continuing to look toward precious metals and the Swiss franc.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 28, 2026

Djokovic broke Maestrelli, who was making his Grand Slam debut, to start the second set and cantered into the third round.

From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026

Instead of his ordinary helmet with a visor he was wearing the proper tilting-helm, which looked like a large coal-scuttle, and as he cantered he clanged.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

"I'm digging it, I'm loving it," said Rose after nailing a 12-footer to win the eighth, and LA were 8-1 ahead and cantering after picking up another hammer-inspired two-pointer on the ninth.

From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2025

We had over 20 televisions playing the same footage of horses cantering.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 12, 2024

“Youth” pairs a Bach oratorio with footage of horses cantering through the snow of a Muscovite suburb.

From New York Times ● Feb. 23, 2023

You can see this in grandmaster chess players, whose heart rates triple to cantering under their shirts.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 27, 2022

Jaime was already cantering off down the street as he heard Wyl shout.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin