amble

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "amble" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb meaning to move at a slow, leisurely pace. For example, "During their afternoon stroll, they ambled through the park, admiring the scenery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He may yet amble his way into becoming an accidental prime minister.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not small (77 rooms and suites), but feels intimate as you amble to one of the two restaurants for a light lunch before deciding to spend a hard afternoon lying in the sun, watching the hummingbirds dart through the greenery and wondering whether or not you can be bothered to go for another dip in the pool.

The Guardian - Travel

Indians are understandably eager for their economy to sprint like a tiger rather than amble along like an elephant.

The Economist

A southernism coming from the Choctaw Indian language, it means a good friend, and can be used as a verb, meaning to amble along in a friendly way: "You and Sweet Thing bobbasheely on back to the hotel now," as William Faulkner wrote in "The Reivers".

The Economist

WHAT could be more relaxing than to amble through an ancient wood, pausing to rest beneath a gnarled old tree or even to hug one?

The Economist

Luanda's traffic zooms below on an eight-lane highwas, as pedestrians amble among palm trees or play basketball on the Marginal, a renovated, spotless promenade.

The Economist

The blue thread frays How politicians are unlike America Ranchers v bison-huggers ReprintsYellowstone's wild bison trigger ferocious rows, too, each time they amble outside the national park.

The Economist

It has proved a lucrative mix, and people can afford to amble along the streets with time to spare.Even the name of the town suggests a more gentle pace: Guilin means "forest of osmanthus trees"—and osmanthus wait until fall to blossom, rather than bursting into flower in spring.

The Economist

In what is now the asphalt jungle of Kuwait city, goats used to amble.

The Economist

Shoppers amble through spacious, air-conditioned aisles in halls the size of large warehouses, perusing the price labels on Thai silks, bicycles, furniture and food.

The Economist

The afternoon sun is baking Salt Lake City to headache-inducing temperatures; tourists in shorts and trainers amble slowly past the Mormon Temple.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amble" to convey a sense of relaxation and lack of urgency in movement. It's particularly effective when describing leisurely walks in pleasant environments.

Common error

Avoid using "amble" in formal or professional writing where a more direct and efficient term like "walk" or "proceed" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "amble" is as an intransitive verb, describing a manner of movement. It depicts someone walking slowly and leisurely, as supported by Ludwig's examples, such as "pedestrians amble among palm trees" or "shoppers amble through spacious aisles."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

91%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amble" is a versatile word primarily functioning as a verb to describe a slow, leisurely walk. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media contexts. While its register leans towards neutral, avoiding it in overly formal situations is advisable. Related terms include "stroll", "saunter", and "meander", each carrying slightly different connotations. Use "amble" to evoke a sense of relaxation and unhurried movement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stroll

Shorter distance and more casual connotation.

saunter

Implies a more relaxed and unhurried pace.

meander

Suggests a winding and indirect path.

wander

Implies a lack of specific destination or purpose.

promenade

More formal and often along a public walkway.

drift

Suggests a passive and effortless movement.

perambulate

A more formal and less common term for walking.

mosey

Informal term for walking slowly, often used in American English.

dawdle

Implies moving slowly and wasting time.

lumber

Suggests heavy and slow movement.

FAQs

How to use "amble" in a sentence?

"Amble" is typically used to describe a slow, leisurely walk. For example, "They ambled along the beach at sunset".

What can I say instead of "amble"?

You can use alternatives like "stroll", "saunter", or "meander" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "amble" or "scurry"?

"Amble" implies a slow, relaxed pace, while "scurry" suggests quick, hurried movement. The correct choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "amble" and "walk"?

"Walk" is a general term for moving on foot. "Amble" implies a more leisurely and relaxed manner of walking. It is not a synonym but a hypernym.