amble

Amble is a verb meaning to walk slowly, in a relaxed, unhurried manner. It implies ease and steadiness and is often used with adverbs: amble along the street, amble through the park. The term can describe people, animals, or even objects moving at a leisurely pace, and it usually connotes casual exploration rather than purposeful speed. In contrast to saunter, amble emphasizes comfort and unhurried movement rather than aimlessness.

As a noun, an amble is a leisurely walk or the pace of such a walk. In horse terminology, an amble describes a smooth four-beat lateral gait used by some horses, distinct from the trot or canter and valued for rider comfort. Various gaited breeds are noted for an ambling gait, including the Tennessee Walking Horse; in other breeds, specific gaits may be described as ambling variants.

Etymology: The origin of amble is uncertain. Most authorities trace it to Old English or Old French influences, with the sense evolving in Middle English to mean “to walk slowly” and later to the noun form describing a leisurely walk.