amble

Where does the word "amble" come from? It comes from Latin ambulare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Amble’s story begins in Latin: ambulare meant “to walk, to move about.” The root of 'ambulance' and 'perambulator'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ambler. Carried into French for walking at an easy, leisurely pace. It reached English by 1300s as amble. Settled as the English word for walking at a relaxed, unhurried pace. Today, amble means to walk at a relaxed, leisurely pace.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ambulare "to walk, to move about", the root of 'ambulance' and 'perambulator'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ambler "to walk at an easy, leisurely pace", carried into French for walking at an easy, leisurely pace.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s amble "to walk at a relaxed, unhurried pace", settled as the English word for walking at a relaxed, unhurried pace.