waddle

1 of 2

verb

wad·​dle ˈwä-dᵊl How to pronounce waddle (audio)
waddled; waddling
ˈwäd-liŋ, 
ˈwä-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce waddle (audio)
Synonyms of waddlenext

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 How to pronounce waddle (audio)
noun

waddle

2 of 2

noun

: an awkward clumsy swaying gait

Synonyms of waddle

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Verb

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Examples of waddle in a Sentence

Verb He waddled down the hallway. A fat goose waddled across the yard.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Inside the house, a plastic bin in the TV room held a striped emu chick, waddling under a heat lamp. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 When not flapping their wings, the chicks waddle around the nest, finding shady spots and playing with sticks and their dad's tail, the nonprofit said. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Noun
In children, this can cause a waddle, and in adults, a shuffle. — Mark Gurarie, Health, 5 Apr. 2025 Game play involves collecting runs and three-of-a-kind sets of cards, known as waddles. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for waddle

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of waddle was in 1592

Rhymes for waddle

See All Rhymes for waddle

Browse Nearby Words

Waddington, Mount
waddle
waddlingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Waddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waddle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

waddle

1 of 2 verb
wad·​dle ˈwäd-ᵊl How to pronounce waddle (audio)
waddled; waddling ˈwäd-liŋ How to pronounce waddle (audio)
-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 How to pronounce waddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

waddle

2 of 2 noun
: an awkward swaying walk

More from Merriam-Webster on waddle

Nglish: Translation of waddle for Spanish Speakers

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