perambulate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Literary, sometimes Humorous
Quick answer
What does “perambulate” mean?
to walk, especially for pleasure or in a leisurely way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to walk, especially for pleasure or in a leisurely way.
to walk through or around an area, often for the purpose of inspecting or surveying it; to walk a baby in a pram (chiefly British, archaic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is slightly more likely to be encountered in British formal or historical contexts. The specific sense of 'walking a baby in a pram' is almost exclusively British and now archaic.
Connotations
In both, it connotes formality or old-fashionedness. In British English, it may have a stronger association with official walks of inspection (e.g., by a local official).
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both varieties. Slightly higher passive recognition in British English due to historical/legal usage (e.g., 'perambulation of parish boundaries').
Grammar
How to Use “perambulate” in a Sentence
[Subject] perambulates [Location] (transitive)[Subject] perambulates (intransitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “perambulate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The retired colonel liked to perambulate the village green every morning.
- It was the vicar's duty to perambulate the parish boundaries each year.
American English
- After dinner, they would perambulate the manicured paths of the estate.
- The security guard perambulates the perimeter every hour.
adverb
British English
- There is no standard adverb form for 'perambulate'.
American English
- There is no standard adverb form for 'perambulate'.
adjective
British English
- There is no standard adjective form for 'perambulate'. The related 'perambulatory' is excessively rare.
American English
- There is no standard adjective form for 'perambulate'. The related 'perambulatory' is excessively rare.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, but might appear in historical, literary, or anthropological texts describing ritual walks or ceremonial routes.
Everyday
Extremely rare; used for deliberate, humorous, or pretentious effect.
Technical
Used in historical/legal contexts (e.g., describing the formal walking of boundaries).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “perambulate”
- Using it in casual contexts where 'walk' or 'stroll' is appropriate.
- Mispronouncing it with stress on the first syllable (e.g., /ˈper.əm.../).
- Using it as a noun (the noun is 'perambulation').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, formal word. In everyday speech, 'walk', 'stroll', or 'amble' are far more common.
Yes. You can 'perambulate the park' (transitive) or simply 'perambulate' on its own (intransitive).
Register and connotation. 'Perambulate' is formal, literary, and often implies a leisurely, purposive, or ceremonial walk. 'Walk' is the neutral, all-purpose term.
Yes, 'perambulation', but it is even rarer than the verb and is mostly found in historical or legal contexts.
to walk, especially for pleasure or in a leisurely way.
Perambulate is usually formal, literary, sometimes humorous in register.
Perambulate: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈræm.bjə.leɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /pəˈræm.bjə.leɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There are no common idioms with 'perambulate'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PERfectly AMBling LATE person. They are in no hurry, they just PERAMBULATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS WALKING (e.g., 'We will perambulate through the arguments' is a possible but very formal/literary metaphor).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'perambulate' MOST appropriate?