Word choice · B2
Stroll, stride, trudge, wander, stagger
A walking verb in English carries the walker’s mood and condition, not just the movement. You stroll when you are relaxed, stride when you are confident, march when you are angry, wander when you have nowhere to be, trudge when the ground and the day are both against you, and stagger when you are about to fall over.
Which word, and why
- stroll
slow and relaxed, for pleasure
To walk unhurriedly, because the walking itself is the point.
stroll along the front · a gentle stroll · stroll home
- stride
long steps, confident and purposeful
To walk with long decisive steps.
stride across the room · stride out · take it in his stride
- march
regular forceful steps — anger or discipline
To walk with fast, determined steps, often to confront someone.
march into his office · march them out · marching orders
- wander
no destination at all
To walk without a route or a purpose.
wander around town · wander off · his mind wandered
- trudge
heavy and tired, with difficult ground
To walk slowly and with effort because you are exhausted or the going is hard.
trudge through the snow · trudge uphill · a long trudge
- plod
slow and heavy, with no energy left
To walk or work on steadily and dully.
plod along · plod up the hill · plod through the paperwork
- tiptoe
on your toes, to stay silent
To walk on the front of your feet so that nobody hears you.
tiptoe past the door · tiptoe out · on tiptoe
- stagger
unsteady, about to fall
To walk with difficulty, nearly losing your balance.
stagger to his feet · stagger out · stagger under the weight
- limp
one leg is hurt
To walk unevenly because of an injury.
limp off the pitch · a slight limp · limp home
- pace
back and forth, from anxiety
To walk repeatedly up and down in the same short space.
pace the corridor · pace up and down · pace nervously
- shuffle
feet barely leave the ground
To walk without lifting your feet properly.
shuffle forward · shuffle along the queue · a shuffling walk
- creep
slow and quiet, to avoid being noticed
To move carefully and quietly so that nobody detects you.
creep downstairs · creep up on someone · creep away
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They along the seafront after dinner, in no hurry at all.