saunter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "saunter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a leisurely or relaxed walk, often with a sense of enjoyment or aimlessness. Example: "After lunch, she decided to saunter through the park, taking in the sights and sounds of nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Bratislava, mature young men saunter along the banks of the Danube or around Hotel Slovan, carrying tiny transistors defiantly tuned into Radio Luxembourg.

The Guardian

Mr de Botton seems to accept that both are of Himalayan majesty, so he offers no more than a saunter around the foothills.

The Economist

FLIP-FLOPPED feet saunter across a wet concrete floor.

The Economist

Already, the congregation at the First Presbyterian Church mixes street people with millionaires who saunter in from their new apartments across the way.

The Economist

Women, legs crossed in discomfort or desperation, wait in line for the lavatory while men saunter in and out of their loos.

The Economist

After a slow saunter onstage, gazing at her high-heeled shoes, she would suddenly straighten her back, flex her muscles, throw back her head and let loose an incandescent smile.

The Economist

Young boys saunter through it with their Walkmans on, and the simulated whine of shellfire has to compete with the latest music for attention.

The Economist

On February 17th-21st they descended in their thousands on Washington, DC, to mingle, schmooze and, hopefully, find out about some interesting research.One morning Babbage, never one to miss a good intellectual sortie, took advantage of the beautiful, unseasonably warm weather to saunter from the Washington Convention Centre, which the event has nearly monopolised, towards Capitol Hill.

The Economist

Some of the commonest synonyms for walk in the English language (such as trudge, stroll and saunter) have no clear etymological roots.

The Economist

Is it not preferable to saunter on at the end, and smile smugly at your seat companions as you slip your neat little bag under your seat and ignore all the luggage hullabaloo.

The Economist

Visitors saunter from spout to spout sipping the sulphurous broth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "saunter" to describe a relaxed and unhurried walk, often when the destination is not the primary focus. For example, instead of saying "He walked to the store", you could say "He sauntered to the store" to emphasize the relaxed nature of his movement.

Common error

While "saunter" is a perfectly valid word, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing where a more direct term like "walk" or "proceed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "saunter" is a verb, used to describe the act of walking in a leisurely and unhurried manner. Ludwig confirms that "saunter" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "saunter" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that describes a leisurely and unhurried walk. Ludwig's AI validates its proper usage in English. It's most commonly found in news and media sources and possesses a neutral tone that can lean towards informal. While synonyms like "stroll" and "amble" exist, "saunter" specifically emphasizes the relaxed and aimless nature of the movement. Therefore, use "saunter" to paint a picture of someone moving without haste, enjoying their surroundings, as showcased in many examples from Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stroll

A simple and direct synonym, referring to a relaxed and unhurried walk.

amble

Suggests a relaxed and unhurried pace, often in a pleasant or scenic environment.

wander

Implies a lack of specific direction or purpose in walking.

promenade

Suggests a leisurely walk in a public place, often for display or social interaction.

meander

Similar to wander, implying a winding or indirect path.

mosey

Informal term for walking in a relaxed and unhurried manner.

perambulate

A more formal term for walking around or through an area.

take a leisurely walk

A longer phrase that emphasizes the relaxed nature of the walk.

go for a ramble

Suggests a walk in the countryside, often without a specific destination.

pace

To walk with slow or regular movements, especially while thinking or worrying.

FAQs

How can I use "saunter" in a sentence?

You can use "saunter" to describe a leisurely walk. For example: "They "sauntered" along the beach at sunset".

What can I say instead of "saunter"?

You can use alternatives like "stroll", "amble", or "wander" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "saunter" to describe a quick movement?

No, "saunter" implies a slow, relaxed pace. It would be incorrect to use it to describe a quick or hurried movement.

What is the difference between "saunter" and "stroll"?

While both describe a leisurely walk, "saunter" often implies a more aimless or relaxed manner than "stroll", which can suggest a more purposeful, albeit still relaxed, walk.