Word
walking
Phoneticswalk·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɔkɪŋ/
UK/wˈɔːkɪŋ/
Definitions
01the activity
A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun
n. the act or exercise of going for a walk.
n. the act of traveling on foot, typically for recreation, exercise, or as a mode of transport.
“Walking is a great way to see the city without spending money on buses.”
“Daily walking has been shown to significantly improve cardiovascular health and mental well-being in adults of all ages.”
Usage
Often functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the sport or hobby.
02representing a quality
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adj. used to describe a person who is a perfect example of a specific quality.
adj. serving as a living or personified example of a particular attribute or state.
“My grandfather is a walking encyclopedia of local history.”
“The lead investigator was described by his colleagues as a walking disaster, prone to losing critical evidence at every turn.”
03music style
C1 · Advanced Music Technical
adj. a style of music, especially in jazz, where the bass plays a steady, regular beat like footsteps.
adj. denoting a bass line characterized by continuous, equal-value notes that create a sense of forward motion.
“The jazz band used a walking bass line to keep the rhythm steady.”
“The bassist maintained a sophisticated walking line throughout the bridge, providing a harmonic foundation for the saxophone solo.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the phrase 'walking bass' or 'walking line'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “walking” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English walkynge, walkinge, walkinde, walkende, walkand, walkande, from Old English wealcende (attested as Old English wealcendes), from Proto-Germanic walkandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic walkaną (“to roll, trample, walk”), equivalent to walk + -ing.
From Middle English walkyng, walkinge, equivalent to walk + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. go walking
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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