saunter

[sawn-ter, sahn-]

See more synonyms for saunter on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to walk with a leisurely gait; stroll: sauntering through the woods.

noun

a leisurely walk or ramble; stroll.
a leisurely gait.

Origin of saunter

First recorded in 1660–70; of uncertain origin

Related formssaun·ter·er, noun

Synonyms for saunter

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1–3. amble, ramble, meander.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for sauntering

sashay, traipse, ramble, toddle, loiter, mosey, roam, mope, meander, amble, wander, stump, percolate, linger, tarry, drift, promenade, ooze, rove, ankle

Examples from the Web for sauntering

Contemporary Examples of sauntering

But yes, I pictured a James Bond-type just sauntering over to her.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS
Marlow Stern
January 8, 2015
Just picture Princess Leia sauntering through the galaxy in one of his technology-inspired designs.
Gareth Pugh's Sci-Fi Galaxy
Liza Foreman
September 25, 2013
Various Smith faculty members served as extras, sauntering out of the house and dispersing across the lawn.
Liz Taylor's Secret Life
William J. Mann
October 19, 2009

Historical Examples of sauntering

They had left the table by now, and were sauntering together on the terrace.
The Snare
Rafael Sabatini
Sauntering dreamily, she moved away from the ancient derelict.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, March 1930
Various
A young Mexican, tired of his work, was sauntering one day on the seashore.
Diderot and the Encyclopdists
John Morley
But already there is a feeling of sauntering in like an old hand at the game.
Working With the Working Woman
Cornelia Stratton Parker
She was sure Hester must be dreadfully tired with sauntering about so long.
Deerbrook
Harriet Martineau

British Dictionary definitions for sauntering

saunter

verb (intr)

to walk in a casual manner; stroll

noun

a leisurely pace or stroll
a leisurely old-time dance

Derived Formssaunterer, noun

Word Origin for saunter

C17 (meaning: to wander aimlessly), C15 (to muse): of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sauntering

saunter

late 15c., santren "to muse, be in reverie," of uncertain origin despite many absurd speculations. Meaning "walk with a leisurely gait" is from 1660s, and may be a different word. Klein suggests this sense of the word derives via Anglo-French sauntrer (mid-14c.) from French s'aventurer "to take risks," but OED finds this "unlikely." Related: Sauntered; sauntering.

saunter

"a leisurely stroll," 1828, from saunter (v.). Earlier it meant "idle occupation, diversion" (1728).