trundler
RareInformal, somewhat old-fashioned
Definition
Meaning
A person or thing that moves or rolls slowly and heavily, especially on wheels.
A wheeled cart or trolley; a slow-moving person; a vehicle such as a child's push-trike; a delivery person pushing a cart; in cricket, a bowler who delivers the ball at a slow, rolling pace.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun is an agent noun formed from the verb 'trundle' and always implies motion, rolling, or slow transport. It has literal (a wheeled cart) and figurative (a slow person) uses. Its cricket usage is highly specialised.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More likely to be used in UK English, especially in the specific cricket context. In US English, it would be extremely rare, perhaps only in historical or literary contexts. 'Trundler' as a delivery person with a cart might appear in both varieties, but is archaic.
Connotations
Generally neutral or slightly humorous/affectionate when describing a slow vehicle or person. In cricket, it is a neutral technical descriptor but can be slightly derogatory, implying a non-threatening bowler.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects. If encountered, it is more probable in British texts or speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Determiner] + trundler + [Prepositional Phrase (of/in/for)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms feature 'trundler'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused. Potentially in niche logistics or historical contexts for a cart.
Academic
Rare, possibly in historical or sociological studies of street vendors.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used humorously for a slow old car or a child's toy vehicle.
Technical
Specific to cricket commentary and analysis.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child pushed his red trundler around the garden.
- We loaded the boxes onto the market trundler and wheeled it to the stall.
- Despite being a mere trundler, the bowler took three wickets with his clever variations.
- The antique cheese trundler, with its squeaky wooden wheels, was a relic of a bygone era of street vending.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of something that TRUNDLEs along, with an '-ER' on the end, like a 'roll-ER' or 'push-ER'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SLOW/HEAVY MOVEMENT IS ROLLING
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'грузовик' (truck/lorry). 'Trundler' is smaller, slower, and often hand-pushed. Avoid direct translation; use context-specific terms like 'тележка' (cart), 'медлительный человек' (slow person), or 'медленный боулер' (slow bowler).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for any vehicle. Confusing it with 'trundle bed' (a low bed on wheels). Misspelling as 'trunndler' or 'trundellar'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'trundler' a technical term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare word. You are most likely to encounter it in historical writing or in specialist contexts like cricket.
Yes, it can refer to a person who moves slowly or who pushes a cart, though this usage is old-fashioned.
A trundler is a specific type of trolley or cart, often implying it is slow, heavy, old, or used for a specific purpose (e.g., market goods). 'Trolley' is a more general and common term.
In cricket, a 'trundler' is a bowler who delivers the ball at a slow or medium pace, with a rolling, unthreatening action, as opposed to a fast or spin bowler.