walking
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The action or activity of moving at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn.
Also refers to the sport or recreation of walking, the state of being able to walk, and a means or style of walking. Used in compounds (e.g., walking holiday) and figuratively (e.g., walking encyclopedia).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily the gerund/participle form of the verb 'walk', but functions as a deverbal noun (the activity), a present participle in continuous tenses, and an adjective describing something designed for walking or used while walking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In compound nouns, BrE often uses 'walking' where AmE might use 'hiking' (e.g., walking boots/hiking boots). BrE has specific uses like 'Walking Day' (civic/religious procession). AmE uses 'walking' more commonly in sports contexts (walking in baseball).
Connotations
Generally similar. 'Walking' as an adjective (walking tour) is slightly more established in BrE for leisure activities.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties with minimal difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ + be + walkingSUBJ + go walking (+ Adv/Prep Phrase)SUBJ + enjoy/love/hate walkingwalking + of + NOUN (the walking of the dog)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “walking on air”
- “walking on eggshells”
- “walking wounded”
- “a walking dictionary”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to meetings held while walking ('walking meeting'), or the activity encouraged for employee wellbeing.
Academic
Used in fields like biology ('walking behaviour'), urban studies ('walking cities'), and health sciences ('prescribed walking').
Everyday
The most common context, referring to the daily activity for transport, leisure, or exercise.
Technical
In robotics ('walking robot'), athletics ('race walking'), and medicine ('walking reflex', 'walking cast').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She was walking the dog on the lead.
- We'll be walking up to the pub later.
American English
- He's walking the batter to load the bases.
- I saw her walking down Main Street.
adverb
British English
- The sign clearly stated 'No walking on the grass'.
- Tickets are available walking up to the gate.
American English
- He entered the room walking tall and confident.
- They were selling popcorn walking through the stands.
adjective
British English
- He took a walking holiday in the Lake District.
- She consulted her walking guidebook.
American English
- She bought a new pair of walking sneakers.
- The hotel is within walking distance of the beach.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like walking in the park.
- My grandfather uses a walking stick.
- The shop is ten minutes' walking from here.
- Brisk walking for 30 minutes a day improves fitness.
- We spent the afternoon walking along the riverbank.
- He's a walking encyclopedia of football trivia.
- The physiotherapist assessed her walking gait after the injury.
- Tour companies offer guided walking tours of the historic quarter.
- She felt she was walking on eggshells around her new boss.
- The study correlates urban walkability with increased incidental walking.
- His walking of the tightrope was a masterpiece of controlled balance.
- The directive aimed to get commuters walking the 'last mile' from transport hubs.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TALKING WALKING STICK – it helps you remember 'walking' is an action (-ing) related to moving on foot.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION (e.g., 'walking the path to success'). HEALTH IS MOBILITY ('back on my feet and walking').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'I go walking' as 'Я иду пешком' (I am going on foot) when it refers to the leisure activity; better: 'Я занимаюсь ходьбой' or 'Я хожу на прогулки'.
- The adjective 'walking' in compounds (walking stick) is not always directly equivalent to 'для ходьбы'; it can mean 'ходячий' (walking encyclopedia – ходячая энциклопедия).
Common Mistakes
- *I am walking to school every day. (Use present simple for habits: I walk.)
- *He is good in walking. (Use 'at': He is good at walking.)
- Confusing 'walking' (activity) with 'a walk' (a single instance/event).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'walking' used as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As a noun (gerund), it names the activity ('Walking is healthy'). As a verb, it is the present participle/gerund form used in continuous tenses ('She is walking').
'Walking' refers to the activity in general or the action in progress. 'A walk' refers to a specific instance or event of that activity (e.g., 'Let's go for a walk').
Yes, it can function as a participial adjective in compounds, meaning 'for the purpose of walking' (walking stick) or 'that walks' (walking dead).
No, race walking is an athletic event where one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times, governed by a specific technique, distinguishing it from running.