English vocabulary · B2
Hobble
/ˈhɑːbəl/ · v., n.
Hobble means to walk slowly because one leg or foot hurts. Your steps look uneven, and moving takes more effort.
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Example sentences
- He hobbled on a sore ankle.
- The injury hobbled the player.
Word origin and roots
from Middle English
- hoblen — move unevenly (from Middle English)
Synonyms and nuances
- LIMP — walk unevenly from pain (Favor One Leg)
- SHUFFLE — walk with short slow steps (Feet Stay Low)
- STAGGER — move as if about to fall (Poor Balance)
Similar words
- limp
- shuffle
- stagger
Lesson notes
Hobble means to walk slowly because one leg or foot hurts. Your steps look uneven, and moving takes more effort.
Related: limp, shuffle, stagger. Use hobble when pain or weakness makes walking hard.
He hobbled on a sore ankle. The injury hobbled the player.
From Middle English. Hoblen means move unevenly. Hoblen became hobble. The old uneven movement remains.