Today I’d like to talk about some useful verbs of movement. Some of them are used pretty often, others less so, nonetheless, you can come across each of them in everyday language.
If you prefer to watch a video first, here it is:
Table of Contents
Verbs of Movement with Examples
So, let’s get to work. Here some verbs of movement that you may come across pretty frequently:
lunge
= to move or reach forward in a sudden, forceful way
The wolf lunged across the lawn at the hare.
cringe
= to make a sudden movement from fear of being hit or hurt
Emily cringed at the terrible sight of the headless monster coming closer.
waft
= to move lightly through the air
The mist wafted softly down the hill.
wriggle
= to twist from side to side with small quick movements like a worm
The fish was wriggling on the hook.
squirm
= to make lots of twisting movements because you’re nervous, uncomfortable, bored, etc.
The girl was trying to hold the huge bird but it managed to squirm free.
jostle
= to push against (someone) while moving forward in a crowd of people
The businessman was jostling to get a better view of the stage.
prowl
= to move quietly through an area while hunting
The fox was prowling in the field.
pursue
= to follow and try to catch or capture (sb or sth) usually for a long distance or time
The hyenas pursued their prey for miles.
sneak
= to move quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
The burglar sneaked into the house through the window.
blunder
= to move in an awkward or confused way
The man blundered through the forest until he finally found the river.
pounce
= to suddenly jump toward and take hold of someone or something
The cheetah pounced on the wildebeest.
crouch
= to lie on the stomach close to the ground with the legs bent
The animal crouched in the bushes, preparing to pounce on his prey.
scurry
= to move quickly and with short steps
Crazy squirrels scurried all around the forest.
wallow
= to roll about in deep mud or water
The boar loves wallowing in mud.
stalk
= to follow (an animal or person that you are hunting or trying to capture) by moving slowly and quietly
The cat is stalking something in the grass.
slink
= to move in a way that does not attract attention especially because you are embarrassed, afraid, or doing something wrong
The lady in red slinked away in shame.
waddle
= to walk with short steps while moving from side to side like a duck
The penguins waddled down the valley.
bob
= to move up and down quickly or repeatedly
The buoy was bobbing on the waves.
flit
= to move or fly quickly from one place or thing to another
Hummingbirds and butterflies flitted from flower to flower.
scuttle
= to move quickly and with short steps
The crab scuttled away to the water.
hustle
= to quickly move or push (someone) often in a rough way
If he doesn’t want to be late, he has to hustle.
writhe
= to twist your body from side to side
The player lay on the ground, writhing in pain.
shudder
= to shake violently
The journey wasn’t very comfortable, the car shuddered all the time.
stumble
= to hit your foot on something when you are walking or running so that you fall or almost fall
The tourist stumbled on a traffic cone.
hobble
= to walk with difficulty because of injury or weakness
His grandma hobbled across the corridor.
lurch
= to move or walk in an awkward or unsteady way
He saw his girlfriend at the restaurant and lurched to her table.
stagger
= to move or cause (someone) to move unsteadily from side to side
The drunk staggered all the way home.
amble
= to walk slowly in a free and relaxed way
The married couple ambled through the village and talked.
stride
= to walk with very long steps
My boss strode across the room to welcome his guests.
strut
= to walk in a confident and proud way
The peacock strutted in front of us and repeatedly peeked at us to make sure we were watching him.
trudge
= to walk slowly and heavily because you are tired or working very hard
Trudging through the snow wasn’t easy and it was getting dark.
shuffle
= to slide your feet along the ground or back and forth without lifting them completely
Mike was too tired to lift his feet. He just shuffled along the street.
toddle
of a young child : = to walk with short, unsteady steps
The little elephant toddled in the water.
flop
= to fall, lie, or sit down in a sudden, awkward, or relaxed way
At the end of the exhausting day the little bear flopped down onto his bed.
wade
= to walk through water
The girl waded in the warm sea between the beach and the island.
swerve
= to change direction suddenly especially to avoid hitting someone or something
A moose appeared on the road, the driver lost control of the car and swerved toward a tree.
zigzag
= to move along a path that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles
The car was zigzagging on the road.
duck
= to lower your head or body suddenly to avoid being seen or hit
The ball was flying so low the elephant had to duck.
trot
of a horse: = to move at a speed faster than walking by stepping with each front leg at the same time as the opposite back leg
An interesting horse trotted just in front of us.
And there are more verbs of movement like this, but I think this will do for now.