Ways of Walking & Looking

Stride

walk quickly with firm steps, especially because you feel angry or determined.

Pace

walk backwards and forwards within a small area because you're nervous or bored.

Stroll/Saunter

walk for pleasure in a slow, relaxed way.

Trudge

walk slowly, with heavy steps because you're tired.

Plod

walk slowly with heavy steps because the ground is difficult or because you're carrying sth heavy.

Traipse

walk a long way, especially when you're looking for sth or visiting different places so you become tired.

Hobble

to walk with difficulty because it's painful.

Limp

walk slowly with difficulty and pain, putting more weight on one leg because the other is hurt.

Shuffle

walk slowly and noisily, like a really old or sick person.

Shamble

walk slowly and awkwardly bending forwards in a tired way.

Stagger

walk unsteadily, with your body moving from side to side because you're tired/injured or drunk.

Stumble

walk unsteadily, often hitting things.

Lurch

walk very unsteadily, moving forward or from side to side with sudden, irregular movements.

Stomp/Clump

walk with heavy, noisy steps.

Creep/Tiptoe/Sneak

walk quietly with soft steps, not to be heard.

Swagger/Strut/Parade

walk proudly.

Roam/Wander

walk with no particular reason.

Prowl

walk around an area or building trying not to be seen, in order to steal something or attack somebody.

Hike/Trek

walk in a long way, for exercise or entertainment, especially in the mountains.

Wade/Paddle

walk through water.

Pick your way/edge

walk carefully choosing every step because the ground is uneven.

Stretch your legs

walk around for a little exercise after a long time of sitting down.

Stare at

deliberately look at sb/sth for a long time because you’re angry, shocked or very interested.

Gaze at

look at sth for a long time because it’s beautiful, interesting or amazing.

Gape at

look at sb/sth for a long time, especially with your mouth open.

Eye somebody

look at sth with interest or because you don’t trust them.

Look sb up and down

look very carefully at sb, the clothes they’re wearing, etc. because you don’t know them and you’re trying to form an opinion.

Look over

to quickly look at the details of sb or sth, especially before officially agreeing to buy it or use it.

Examine sb/sth

look at sb or sth extremely carefully because you want to find its faults or mistake.

Admire sb/sth

look at sth beautiful and say that you admire it.

Glance at or Shoot/Cast/Throw a glance at

to look at sb/sth quickly.

Peep at/into or have a peep at/into

look at sb/sth quickly, especially through a small space/opening.

Peek at/into or have a peek at/into

look at sb/sth that you’re not supposed to see.

Take one look at

look quickly at sb/sth that you haven’t seen before and immediately decide what your opinion is.

Have a quick look at

to quickly look at sth to check if everything is correct.

Squint at

look hard at sth that you find difficult to see, and make your eyes narrower.

Peer at

look with difficulty at sb or sth because you can’t see very well or there’s not enough light.

Glare at/Glower at/Scowl at/Look daggers at/Give sb a black look

look at sb angrily.

Eye sb up/Make eyes at/Ogle sb/Leer at

look at sb showing you’re sexually attracted to them.

Browse/Have a browse around/Look around

look at things in a shop (or other places) but without looking for any one thing in particular.

Eyeball sb/Stare sb down

look at sb aggressively, like boxers at the weigh-in or just before a fight.

Gawk at

look with amazement or interest in a way that may seem stupid.

Glimpe sth or at sth/Catch a glimpse of sth/sb.

see sth for a brief time.

Sth to behold

look at sth carefully, literary/obsolete.

Watch sb/sth

look at sth, especially when it’s moving/in motion.

Scan sb/sth

look at sth quickly without paying attention to detail.