saunter

Saunter is a verb meaning to walk at a relaxed, unhurried pace, often with an air of self-assurance or casual ease. It is intransitive, as in “they sauntered along the street,” and it can also function as a noun, referring to a leisurely stroll, as in “a quiet saunter through the park.” The action connotes ease and a certain nonchalance rather than urgency, and it sits between a stroll (more purposeful) and a meander (more aimless) in common nuance.

The word appears in English in the late 17th or early 18th century, but its exact origin is uncertain. Etymologies proposed by linguists include links to the French sautēr or sautiller (to leap or skip) and to various Germanic sources related to wandering, with the sense gradually shifting to a walking pace rather than leaping. Because of the uncertainty, many dictionaries mark its etymology as uncertain.

In usage, saunter is common in both literary and everyday prose and is often used to convey a relaxed demeanor or effortless movement. Examples: “They sauntered down the lane,” or “He sauntered into the meeting, expecting no one to notice.” The noun form is less common in modern writing but remains understood.

The term often carries connotations of leisure, confidence, and casualness, and it is frequently found in travel writing, poetry, and fiction to describe how characters move through space or how a mind tends to move when not focused on a task.