waddles
/ˈwɒdəlz/
NOUN
1. A short, swaying manner of walking
A distinctive walking gait characterized by short steps and a rocking or swaying movement of the body from side to side.
1.1. An awkward or swaying walking gait
Describes a characteristic way of walking in which the body rocks or sways from side to side, often with short, unsteady steps.
Synonyms
- gait
- shuffle
- totter
- toddle
- hobble
- stagger
- shamble
- wobble
Examples
- The penguin's waddles across the icy shore looked amusing.
- The toddler's little waddles became steadier as he learned to walk.
- The duck's distinctive waddles made it easy to recognize.
Related Words
VERB
2. Walks with short steps while swaying from side to side
Moves forward by taking short steps and tilting or rocking the body from one side to the other.
2.1. Walking with a side-to-side swaying motion
Describes a person or animal walking with short, characteristic steps while the body rocks or sways from side to side.
Synonyms
Examples
- The penguin waddles toward the water every morning.
- The fluffy duckling waddles alongside its siblings.
- The chubby puppy waddles excitedly toward its owner.
Related Words
- paddles
- toddles
- shuffles
- stagger
- ambles
- limps
2.2. Moving awkwardly or unsteadily
Describes moving forward in a clumsy, heavy, or poorly coordinated manner, often with difficulty maintaining balance or a smooth walking rhythm.
Synonyms
- barges
- blunders
- careens
- clomps
- clumps
- dodders
- flounders
- galumphs
- lumbers
- lumps
- lurches
- pounds
- reels
- scuffles
- scuffs
- shambles
- shuffles
- staggers
- stamps
- stomps
- stumbles
- swags
- teeters
- totters
- tramps
- tromps
- wavers
- weaves
- wobbles
Examples
- The elderly cat waddles slowly through the garden.
- The chubby puppy waddles across the room to greet its owner.
- The tired seal waddles back toward the water after resting on the beach.
Related Words
- hobble
- limp
- plod
- trudge
- stumble
- shuffle
- lurch
- stagger