walk
walk — verb
1. to move yourself forward by stepping with your feet, lifting one at a time so th
to move yourself forward by stepping with your feet, lifting one at a time so that at least one foot stays on the ground.
Esme and her father walked to the park after lunch.
walk + to + destination
The old man walked slowly with a wooden stick for support.
walk + slowly (manner adverb)
Lucas walked all the way home from the train station.
walk + distance phrase (all the way)
Emre and his sister walked along the river every weekend.
walk + along (prepositional route)
Anong walked to work every morning because she liked the fresh air.
- walk home
- walk to school
- walk along the beach
- walk slowly
- walk quickly
- run
move faster by having both feet off the ground at once
Grammar Patterns
walk + adverb (slowly, quickly)
walk + prepositional phrase (to, along, through)
walk + distance (a mile, five blocks)
Usage Note
This is the most basic meaning of walk. It can be used without an object (intransitive: 'I walked home') or with a route or location as object (transitive: 'She walked the streets').
Common Mistakes
2. to travel on foot next to another person in order to keep them safe or to help t
to travel on foot next to another person in order to keep them safe or to help them find a place.
Sayaka walked her grandmother to the bus stop every morning.
walk + person + to + destination
Hassan offered to walk his neighbour to the shop after dark.
The tour guide walked the group through the narrow streets of the old town.
walk + person + through + place
Élise walked her little brother to the school gate each day.
- walk someone home
- walk someone to the door
- walk someone to the station
- escort
more formal; can be on foot or by vehicle
- accompany
more formal; not limited to walking
- see someone home
idiomatic, specifically means making sure they arrive home safely
Grammar Patterns
walk + someone + to + place
walk + someone + home
Usage Note
The object is always a person (or occasionally a group) being escorted. A destination is almost always stated, either as 'to + place' or as a directional adverb like 'home.'
Common Mistakes
3. to take a pet outside for exercise, usually by moving on foot with it on a lead.
to take a pet outside for exercise, usually by moving on foot with it on a lead.
Ignacio walks his dog in the park twice a day.
walk + possessive + dog
The puppy pulled hard on the lead when Lauren tried to walk him.
Emily walks her neighbour's dog every afternoon for extra pocket money.
walk + someone else's + animal
Tunde walked his energetic dog through the park every evening before dinner.
walk + possessive + dog + location + time
- walk the dog
- walk the horses
- take the dog out
more informal; implies a short outing
Grammar Patterns
walk + the + animal + (prepositional phrase)
walk + possessive + animal
Usage Note
Almost always used with a domestic animal as the object. Dogs are by far the most common, but horses and other pets can also be walked. In informal speech, 'walk the dog' is a fixed phrase that does not always imply a long walk.
Common Mistakes
4. used before a noun to say that a person is a very clear example of that thing —
used before a noun to say that a person is a very clear example of that thing — for instance, someone who causes accidents every day can be called a walking disaster, and someone who knows everything can be called a walking encyclopedia.
The new assistant is a walking disaster — she spilled coffee on the manager twice.
a walking disaster (fixed expression)
Ask Arjun about history; he is a walking encyclopedia on the topic.
a walking encyclopedia (fixed expression)
Eitan is a walking dictionary who can explain the meaning of any rare word.
My grandmother is a walking miracle — she recovered from an illness that doctors said was impossible.
a walking miracle (fixed expression)
- a walking disaster
- a walking encyclopedia
- a walking dictionary
Grammar Patterns
a walking + [noun describing a quality]
Usage Note
Only used in the pattern [a walking + noun]. Common nouns in this pattern include: disaster, encyclopedia, dictionary, miracle, stereotype, and contradiction. This is technically a present participle used as an adjective, not a typical verb use.
Common Mistakes
5. to receive no penalty from a judge when someone has been tried for a crime, usua
to receive no penalty from a judge when someone has been tried for a crime, usually because the case could not be proved.
The court had no proof against her, so she walked free.
walk + free (resultative adjective)
Despite the serious charges, the defendant walked from court without a penalty.
walk + from court
The police found no evidence, so the suspect walked free that same evening.
The jury found no evidence against Bao, so he walked free from the courthouse.
walk + free — resultative adjective after not-guilty verdict
- walk free
- walk from court
- be acquitted
formal legal term; decided by a judge or jury
- be cleared
less formal; means officially found not guilty
- be convicted
to be found guilty of a crime
- be sentenced
to receive a punishment from the court
Grammar Patterns
walk + free
walk + from + court
Usage Note
Often used with the adjective 'free' after the verb (walk free). Also used in informal journalism to describe someone who avoids punishment. The subject is always a person who has been accused of something.
Common Mistakes
6. to stop working for a company or leave a position suddenly, usually because you
to stop working for a company or leave a position suddenly, usually because you did not get a pay increase, better conditions, or a promotion that you asked for.
When the company refused to raise wages, half of the staff walked.
The head chef walked after the restaurant owners ignored his complaints about the kitchen.
walk + after + reason clause
Three nurses walked when the hospital tried to cut their weekend pay.
The entire design team walked after management demanded twice the work for the same pay.
group subject + walked + after + condition
- walk off the job
- walk in protest
- stay on
continue working at the same job
Grammar Patterns
walk + (preposition: out, off)
walk + because of + reason
Usage Note
Informal. Often interchangeable with the phrasal verb 'walk out.' The reason for leaving is usually stated nearby, either as a because-clause or in the surrounding context.
Common Mistakes
7. In cricket, when a batter accepts that their turn at batting should end (usually
In cricket, when a batter accepts that their turn at batting should end (usually because they hit the ball and a fielder caught it), they may leave the playing area on their own before the umpire gives an official signal.
Captain Andrés surprised the crowd by walking before the umpire made his decision.
Owen edged the ball and walked without waiting for the umpire's signal.
walk + without + [umpire action]
Noor knew she hit the ball, so she walked without waiting for the umpire.
walk + without + noun phrase
Xiu walked off the pitch after the ball hit the edge of his bat.
- walk without waiting
- walk off the pitch
- refuse to walk
- leave the pitch
more general description of the action, not a fixed term
Usage Note
Only used in the sport of cricket. The action is voluntary — the batter chooses to walk and is not forced off the field. Distinguished from general 'walk off' (MOVE ON FOOT sense 1) by the cricket-specific context and the semantic narrowing to admitting you are out.
Common Mistakes
8. In baseball, to get to first base because the pitcher throws four pitches that m
In baseball, to get to first base because the pitcher throws four pitches that miss the strike zone and the batter does not swing at them. When used transitively, it means the pitcher is the one who throws those four misses, allowing the batter to advance.
Lakshmi walked to first base after the pitcher threw four balls outside the zone.
intransitive: walk + to [base]
The pitcher walked Tamás by throwing four pitches that went too wide.
transitive: pitcher + walk + batter
Mert walked to first base after Sana threw four straight balls outside the zone.
specific at-bat: named batter + pitcher + count
Beatrix walked on four pitches and later scored from third base.
Christopher never walked a single batter during the whole championship game.
transitive: pitcher walks a batter, negative + never
- walk a batter
- walk to first base
- walk on four pitches
- draw a walk
- draw a walk
more technical baseball term for the batter's perspective
- earn a base on balls
formal baseball terminology
- strike out
opposite outcome — batter fails to reach base
Grammar Patterns
walk + to [base] (intransitive)
walk + batter (transitive)
Usage Note
Has two subject possibilities: the batter (intransitive: 'He walked') or the pitcher (transitive: 'He walked three batters'). In baseball statistics the formal term is 'base on balls' (BB). Distinguished from verb sense 7 (CRICKET WALK) by the sport and the transitive/intransitive contrast.
Common Mistakes
9. To succeed in a test, competition, or challenge with very little effort, as if t
To succeed in a test, competition, or challenge with very little effort, as if the result were certain from the very beginning.
Talia walked the maths exam and finished twenty minutes before the bell.
walk + [exam] object
The defending team walked the final match with a score of four goals to one.
Sari walked the driving test on her very first try last Thursday.
Nobody expected the young swimmer to walk the race so comfortably.
walk + [competition event] object
- walk the exam
- walk the competition
- walk the match
- walk the test
- sail through
similar informal register, 'sailed through the exam'
- pass with flying colours
slightly more formal, emphasises high achievement
Grammar Patterns
walk + noun phrase (exam, competition, match)
Usage Note
Informal. The object is always something that can be passed or won (exam, test, competition, race, match). Never used for physical walking or carrying objects. Common in British and American informal speech but considered casual rather than formal English.
Common Mistakes
walk away
phrasal verbTo leave a situation or relationship, especially when it becomes difficult.
She decided to walk away from the toxic relationship.
Can you just walk away from all that money?
walk away with
phrasal verbTo win something easily or take something without permission.
The young athlete walked away with the gold medal.
Someone walked away with my umbrella from the office.
walk in on
phrasal verbTo enter a room and surprise someone who is doing something private.
I accidentally walked in on my brother changing clothes.
Did you walk in on the meeting while it was in progress?
walk into
phrasal verbTo enter a place or to get a job easily without effort.
He walked into the interview and got the job immediately.
She walked into the room and saw everyone waiting.
walk off
phrasal verbTo leave a place, especially to show anger or disagreement.
After the argument, he walked off without saying goodbye.
She walked off the field when the referee made a bad call.
walk off with
phrasal verbTo steal something or to win something easily.
Someone walked off with my laptop from the library.
The team walked off with the championship trophy.
walk out
phrasal verbTo leave a place suddenly, especially to show disapproval or to go on strike.
The workers walked out in protest of the new policy.
She walked out of the movie because it was boring.
walk over
phrasal verbTo treat someone badly or without respect.
Don't let your boss walk over you like that.
He feels that his colleagues walk over him because he is too nice.
walk through
phrasal verbTo explain or practice something step by step.
The trainer walked through the safety procedures with the new staff.
Can you walk me through the process of setting up the software?
walk up
phrasal verbTo approach someone or something, usually on foot.
A stranger walked up to me and asked for directions.
She walked up to the counter and ordered a coffee.
To do something that could cause trouble or danger.
Maya knew she was skating on thin ice by arriving late again.
Are you walking on thin ice by asking your boss for a raise?
float/walk on air
idiomTo feel extremely happy and excited.
After winning the prize, Sara was walking on air all week.
Diego felt like he was floating on air when he got the job offer.
To get married in a formal ceremony.
My sister will walk down the aisle next June.
Have you ever thought about going down the aisle?
To try to do something difficult before learning the basic skills.
Min wants to run before he can walk in his new job.
Don't run before you can walk; learn the basics first.
To be in a situation where you must be very careful to avoid problems.
The manager is walking a tightrope between budget cuts and staff morale.
Politicians often tread a tightrope on sensitive issues.
walk the beat
idiomTo patrol a specific area on foot, usually as a police officer.
Officer Lee walks the beat in the downtown area every night.
Do you prefer walking the beat or driving a patrol car?
To be in a situation where a small mistake could cause serious problems.
The comedian walked a fine line between humor and insult.
She treads a thin line between honesty and rudeness.
walk free
idiomTo be released from court without any punishment.
The defendant was found not guilty and walked free.
How could the suspect walk free after such strong evidence?
walk it
idiomTo go somewhere by walking instead of using a vehicle.
The park is only a mile away; we can walk it easily.
Should we take a taxi or walk it to the museum?
To make someone walk so much that they become very tired.
The tour guide walked us off our feet in just one afternoon.
I hope I didn't walk you off your feet during our shopping trip.
walk off the job
idiomTo stop working as a form of protest or strike.
The factory workers walked off the job demanding better pay.
Did the teachers really walk off the job yesterday?
walk the plank
idiomTo be forced to walk off a board over a ship's side into the sea as a punishment.
In pirate stories, prisoners were made to walk the plank.
The captain ordered the mutineer to walk the plank.
walk the streets
idiomTo walk around the streets of a town or city.
It is not safe to walk the streets alone after midnight.
Many people walk the streets of Paris during their vacation.
walk tall
idiomTo feel proud and confident about yourself.
After winning the championship, Brian walked tall.
You should walk tall despite the criticism.
walk the walk
idiomTo show by your actions that you are good at something, not just by talking.
He talks about saving the environment, but does he walk the walk?
A good leader must walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
walk — noun
1. an act of moving on foot from one place to another, done for exercise or simply
an act of moving on foot from one place to another, done for exercise or simply as a pleasant way to spend time
Liang and his wife went for a walk around the lake after dinner.
go for a walk + prepositional phrase
The puppy needs a short walk every morning before breakfast.
A brisk walk in the park helped Élise clear her thoughts before the exam.
adjective + walk: brisk walk, long walk, short walk
Rachid takes a walk along the beach every Sunday at sunrise.
After sitting at a desk all morning, a ten-minute walk felt wonderful.
- go for a walk
- take a walk
- have a walk
- brisk walk
- long walk
- short walk
- morning walk
- evening walk
- walk in the park/woods/beach
Grammar Patterns
go for a walk
take a walk
have a walk
Usage Note
Frequently used in fixed phrases: 'go for a walk', 'take a walk', and 'have a walk'. The noun is almost always singular in these constructions.
Common Mistakes
2. a path or trail that is designed or commonly used for walking, especially in a n
a path or trail that is designed or commonly used for walking, especially in a natural or scenic area
There is a lovely walk through the pine forest behind the village.
The coastal walk offers stunning views of the ocean and the nearby islands.
coastal walk / nature walk — common compound nouns
Allison followed the marked walk up to the mountain lookout point.
This old railway line has been turned into a walk for cyclists and walkers.
The nature walk around the lake is about three kilometres long.
- coastal walk
- nature walk
- forest walk
- marked walk
- scenic walk
- guided walk
Usage Note
Often appears in compound nouns such as 'nature walk', 'coastal walk', 'forest walk'. Usually refers to a designated route rather than any street or pavement.
3. the particular way a person moves their body when walking, which can reveal thei
the particular way a person moves their body when walking, which can reveal their mood, personality, or physical condition
Christopher recognised his father by his slow, steady walk.
Minh had a confident walk that made people notice him when he entered a room.
possessive adjective + walk: his walk, her walk, their walk
After the leg injury, Liam's walk became slow and uneven.
The dance teacher corrected Joaquín's walk, telling him to stand taller.
You can tell she is tired from her heavy, slow walk up the stairs.
- confident walk
- slow walk
- steady walk
- bouncy walk
- heavy walk
- uneven walk
- purposeful walk
Grammar Patterns
possessive + walk
adjective + walk
Usage Note
Almost always singular and used with a possessive determiner or an adjective. The focus is on the style or quality of movement, not the act itself.
Common Mistakes
4. the speed at which a person or animal moves when walking, as opposed to running
the speed at which a person or animal moves when walking, as opposed to running or going faster
The tour guide slowed to a walk so that everyone could keep up.
slow to a walk / drop to a walk
The horse moved at a comfortable walk through the narrow streets.
at a walk — prepositional phrase describing pace
Élise dropped from a run to a walk at the top of the hill.
The marching band moved at a slow walk while playing the national anthem.
- at a walk
- slow to a walk
- drop to a walk
- comfortable walk
- easy walk
- pace
a more general term for speed of movement, used for walking or running
Grammar Patterns
at a walk
slow to a walk
drop to a walk
Usage Note
Always singular. Commonly used with prepositions: 'at a walk' describes the pace of movement, and 'to a walk' describes a change from a faster pace.
5. a distance that is short enough to be covered on foot, used to describe the clos
a distance that is short enough to be covered on foot, used to describe the closeness of one place to another
The hotel is just a five-minute walk from the train station.
a [number]-minute walk from [place] — expressing distance by time
It is a short walk from Ari's apartment to the university library.
The school is an easy walk from Lakshmi's house, even for young children.
A ten-minute walk along the river took the group to the restaurant.
Nikhil lives only a short walk from the beach where he swims each morning.
- five-minute walk
- ten-minute walk
- short walk
- easy walk
- a walk from [place]
- within walking distance
- stroll
emphasises the ease and pleasure, not just the distance
Grammar Patterns
a [number]-minute walk
a [number]-minute walk from [place]
an easy walk
Usage Note
Frequently used with time expressions: 'five-minute walk', 'ten-minute walk'. The preposition 'from' indicates the starting point, and 'to' or 'from' indicates the destination.
Common Mistakes
6. in baseball, a play where the person at bat heads to first base without hitting,
in baseball, a play where the person at bat heads to first base without hitting, because the pitcher delivered four throws that were not in the strike zone
Darius earned a walk in the fourth inning and later scored the winning run.
earn a walk / draw a walk — getting a walk through patience
The pitcher gave up three walks in the first two innings of the game.
With a walk, the bases were loaded and the crowd grew louder.
The coach told the batter to be patient and try to earn a walk.
Allison's walk in the ninth inning brought the winning run to the plate.
- earn a walk
- draw a walk
- give up a walk
- lead-off walk
- walk-off walk
- bases loaded walk
- intentional walk
- base on balls
the official baseball term for a walk
- free pass
informal term emphasising that the batter advances without hitting the ball
Grammar Patterns
earn a walk
draw a walk
give up a walk
walk-off walk
Usage Note
Primarily American English. Also called a 'base on balls' in official rules. The verb form 'walk' is also used: 'The pitcher walked the batter'.
Word family
- walkernounA2
- walkingadjectiveB1
- walkableadjectiveB2
- walkwaynounB2
- walkathonnounC1
- walkie-talkienounB2
- sleepwalkverbB2
- sleepwalkernounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All of these words describe moving on foot, but they differ in pace, purpose, and attitude. WALK (verb/1) is the neutral, all-purpose word for putting one foot in front of another at a normal speed. STROLL suggests a slow, relaxed pace taken for enjoyment rather than transport — you stroll along a beach or through a park with no urgent destination. HIKE implies a long, energetic walk through nature or hills, often for exercise and usually lasting an hour or more. MARCH is a stiff, regular-paced walk with deliberate steps, typically associated with soldiers or disciplined groups. STRIDE emphasises long, confident steps and often conveys purposefulness or determination ('She strode into the room'). WANDER is meandering and aimless — you wander without a fixed route, letting curiosity guide you. In noun use, 'a walk' is any walking trip; 'a stroll' is a short, easy one; 'a hike' is a long countryside walk.
Common collocations
Phrases
- go for a walk
- take a walk
- have a walk
- walk the dog
- walk the walk
- walk of life
- walk in the park
- walk on eggshells
- walk someone home
- within walking distance
Etymology
The modern verb 'walk' comes from Old English 'wealcan' (pronounced WEAL-kan), which originally meant 'to roll, toss, or shift position.' Over time the meaning changed to the idea of moving forward on foot — first in the sense of a slow, rolling gait and later as the general word for going somewhere by foot. Related words in other Germanic languages (like Old Norse 'valka' — to wander, and Dutch 'walken' — to knead or full cloth) show the original rolling motion sense. By the 1400s, 'walk' had settled into its modern meaning of moving by putting one foot in front of the other.