waddle

1 of 2

verb

wad·​dle ˈwä-dᵊl 

waddled; waddling

ˈwäd-liŋ, 

ˈwä-dᵊl-iŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to walk with short steps swinging the forepart of the body from side to side

2

: to move clumsily in a manner suggesting a waddle

waddler

ˈwäd-lər, 

ˈwä-dᵊl-ər 

noun

waddle

2 of 2

noun

: an awkward clumsy swaying gait

Synonyms of waddle

Verb

• stagger
• lurch
• weave
• totter
• shuffle

Examples of waddle in a Sentence

Verb

He waddled down the hallway.

A fat goose waddled across the yard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Quiet Tragedy of the Bottle-Fed Fawn Imprinting is one of those words people toss around casually, usually attached to baby ducks waddling after a researcher. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026

The furry white marsupials, which waddle back into remote areas — places where humans would not otherwise set foot — are almost like spies penetrating the secret lives of pythons. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026

Noun

The penguin’s signature waddle may also come from this combination of leg position and specialized muscles that keep their limbs close to their body. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Apr. 2026

By the way, because Vidal can spare no form of mockery, we are introduced to George Washington as a man who walks with an ungainly waddle. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of wade

First Known Use

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1691, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for waddle

• caudal
• caudle
• dawdle
• model
• twaddle
• remodel

Kids Definition

waddle

1 of 2 verb

wad·​dle ˈwäd-ᵊl 

waddled; waddling ˈwäd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to walk with short steps swaying from side to side

ducks waddling to the water

2

: to move slowly and awkwardly

the big boat waddled upstream

waddler

-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

waddle

2 of 2 noun

: an awkward swaying walk