lumbering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lumbering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow, heavy, or awkward movement, often associated with large animals or objects. Example: "The lumbering bear made its way through the forest, leaving a trail of broken branches in its wake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was a reference to the Italian officials' decision to rule out a Diego Costa goal for offside in the frenetic period after Nemanja Matic had restored parity, lumbering into the six-yard box to convert John Terry's header from a corner from virtually on the goalline.

The Guardian - Sport

Many sellers of the ponderous recreational vehicles seen lumbering down the Interstates during the summer now report that their fastest-growing market consists of people between 35 and 50 who have finally hung up their boots.

The Economist

His few remaining fair-weather friends are reluctantly lumbering towards the American side.In recognition of the mounting pressure, Mr Hussein this week dispatched his foreign minister, Naji Hadithi, to relaunch stalled talks with the United Nations.

The Economist

Japan was banned from having anything to do with aviation after the second world war and took until 1962 to develop the NAMC YS-11 regional airliner, a project that eventually failed due to spiralling costs.The second attempt to build a Japanese airliner has come at a time when lumbering conglomerates like Mitsubishi struggle to find new growth markets.

The Economist

The party might not put it quite like that.Meanwhile, Chinese leaders have noted lumbering attempts by India, the region's other rising power, to rescue its citizens trapped in Libya.

The Economist

I think you view the country through the tinted glasses of the cold war era.Pradeep KabraLondonSlow democracySIR – Your survey on Saudi Arabia argues that "far from being a dinosaur nation, lumbering to extinction, Saudi Arabia is capable of rapid evolution" (January 7th).

The Economist

TIRED of watching Japan's technology revolution from the sidelines, the country's corporate dinosaurs are lumbering into action.

The Economist

Another assemblyman, this one from the opposition, was suspended after slipping a few extra articles into the draft.Venezuela risks repeating the mistake of other Latin American countries, such as Brazil, by lumbering itself with a hugely detailed constitution that entrenches expensive entitlements and will tie down future governments.

The Economist

AT LAST, a breakthrough in the Darfur peace talks that have been lumbering on unnoticed in Qatar since 2009.

The Economist

And what chance does he have of prodding a lumbering giant such as HBS in the direction that he wants it to go?Mr Nohria's first task is to try to restore faith in business in general and in business schools in particular.

The Economist

The new favourite is Wolfgang Schäuble, the Christian Democrats' parliamentary leader and Mr Kohl's "crown prince".In this section Lumbering to the finishing-post A not-so-model system Reprints Related items A not-so-model systemAug 27th 1998Could this year's election, against the odds, be about to mirror the last one, in 1994?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lumbering" to vividly describe movement that is not only slow but also awkward and heavy, creating a strong image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "lumbering" when you simply mean 'slow'. "Lumbering" carries connotations of awkwardness and heaviness, not just lack of speed.

Linguistic Context

The word "lumbering" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a quality of movement that is slow, heavy, and awkward. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing both literal and figurative movements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "lumbering" effectively describes movement that is slow, heavy, and awkward. Ludwig shows that while grammatically correct and commonly used, it's important to reserve "lumbering" for situations where both slowness and awkwardness are present, rather than simply indicating a lack of speed. Found frequently in News & Media, this descriptor adds vivid imagery to writing, emphasizing the cumbersome nature of the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, "lumbering" provides a nuanced way to portray motion, offering more depth than a simple synonym for slow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clumsy

Implies a lack of coordination and grace in movement, often resulting in accidental bumps or stumbles.

awkward

Suggests a lack of smoothness or grace in movement or handling.

ungainly

Emphasizes the lack of physical elegance or coordination.

ponderous

Highlights the heavy and slow nature of the movement, often due to size or weight.

heavy-footed

Specifically refers to the sound and impact of each step, implying a lack of lightness.

plodding

Describes a slow, laborious, and persistent movement, often implying a lack of enthusiasm.

shambling

Implies a shuffling, unsteady gait, often due to fatigue or age.

stumbling

Suggests a loss of balance and an unsteady gait, as if about to fall.

staggering

Implies an uncontrolled, swaying movement, often due to weakness or intoxication.

laborious

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in the movement, highlighting its slowness and exertion.

FAQs

How can I use "lumbering" in a sentence?

You can use "lumbering" to describe the slow, heavy, and awkward movement of a person, animal, or object. For example, "The "lumbering giant" struggled to keep pace."

What words are similar to "lumbering"?

Synonyms for "lumbering" include "clumsy", "awkward", "ponderous", and "ungainly". Each carries slightly different nuances of slow and awkward movement.

Is "lumbering" a formal or informal word?

"Lumbering" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the tone and subject matter. It is often found in descriptive writing to create a vivid image.

What's the difference between "lumbering" and "sluggish"?

"Lumbering" specifically describes slow, heavy, and awkward movement, whereas "sluggish" implies a lack of energy or vitality, resulting in slowness. "Lumbering" focuses on the physical motion, while "sluggish" focuses on the underlying state.