# walking

/ˈwɔkɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈɔːkɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/walking
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the activity

noun · CEFR A1

the act or exercise of going for a walk.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. representing a quality

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

used to describe a person who is a perfect example of a specific quality.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. music style

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

a style of music, especially in jazz, where the bass plays a steady, regular beat like footsteps.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- Walking is a great way to stay healthy.
- They spent the entire weekend walking through the hills to enjoy the fresh air.
- While some prefer high-impact sports, others find that daily walking provides the necessary mental clarity and physical maintenance required for a balanced lifestyle.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.