English vocabulary · B2
Lumber
/ˈlʌmbər/ · n., v.
To lumber is to move forward with slow, heavy steps that look hard to control. Your whole body seems to fight each step.
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Example sentences
- The bear lumbered across camp.
- A truck lumbered up the icy hill.
Word origin and roots
from Middle English
- lomere — move slowly (from Middle English)
Synonyms and nuances
- TRUDGE — walk with effort (When Walking Feels Tiring)
- PLOD — walk with heavy steps (Slow And Steady)
- STOMP — step down hard (With Force)
Similar words
- trudge
- plod
- stomp
Lesson notes
To lumber is to move forward with slow, heavy steps that look hard to control. Your whole body seems to fight each step.
Related: trudge, plod, stomp. Use lumber when heavy movement looks hard.
The bear lumbered across camp. A truck lumbered up the icy hill.
From Middle English. lomere- means move slowly. Old lomere became lumber: move slowly with heavy, hard steps.