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# waddle

verb (waddle, waddles, waddled, waddling); noun (a waddle)

«waddle» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To walk with short steps, swaying from side to side, like a duck or penguin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#m1)
2. (noun) A swaying walk like this: the toddler walked with a funny waddle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#m2)

### In the lessons

Used in stories and science about animals: ducks, geese and penguins waddle because their legs are short and set far back. It can describe a toddler, or someone walking in heavy clothes. Said of a person it can be teasing or rude, so be kind with it. Phrases: waddle along, waddle off, waddle down to the water.

### Examples

- The ducks waddled down to the pond. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#x1)
- Penguins waddle across the ice, then slide on their bellies. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#x2)
- The toddler waddled after the ball. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#x3)
- In my big snowsuit I could only waddle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#x4)
- The goose waddled towards us and honked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#x5)
- A row of ducklings waddled behind their mother. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#x6)
- The fat old cat waddled to its bowl. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#x7)
- When it had said this the duck waddled off again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/#x8)

### Note

Regular verb: waddled, waddling (double d, drop the e). Do not confuse with "wade" (walk through water) or "wobble" (shake unsteadily). Calling a person's walk a waddle can be unkind.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «waddle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/waddle/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«waddle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/waddle.html) on Mova free.