lope

American  

[lohp] / loʊp /

verb (used without object)

loped, loping

1. to move or run with bounding steps, as a quadruped, or with a long, easy stride, as a person.

2. to canter leisurely with a rather long, easy stride, as a horse.

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verb (used with object)

loped, loping

1. to cause to lope, as a horse.

noun

1. the act or the gait of loping.

2. a long, easy stride.

lope British  

/ ləʊp /

verb

1. (intr) (of a person) to move or run with a long swinging stride

2. (intr) (of four-legged animals) to run with a regular bounding movement

3. to cause (a horse) to canter with a long easy stride or (of a horse) to canter in this manner

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noun

1. a long steady gait or stride

Other Word Forms

• loper noun

Etymology

Origin of lope

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb lopen, loupen, laupen “to jump, leap,” from Old Norse hlaupa; leap, loup ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Just as we started up the steps, Rowdy came loping around the corner of the building, up the steps, and heading for the open door.

From Literature

The only time I remember them speaking is a goodbye as he turns his back to lope down a hallway.

From Los Angeles Times

She had seen a family of al-mirajes go loping through the sun-dappled undergrowth, a trail of fresh shoots of grass marking their progress behind them.

From Literature

Nanuq didn’t like it either, and he loped off behind a low hill.

From Literature

I hunt up a few mice, collect them in my jowls, and lope back to the den.

From Literature

Related Words

• gallop
• trot