lollop

The verb "lollop" paints a picture of movement that is heavy, awkward, and a little bouncy. It describes moving or running with long, uneven strides, often with a rolling or bobbing motion. The movement is not smooth or graceful. Instead, it looks loose, clumsy, and full of energy in an unpolished way. A large dog may lollop across a field, or a person may lollop down the road in an awkward jog.

The word is often used for animals, especially large dogs or other creatures moving with a loose, bounding gait, but it can also describe people. When it is used for people, it usually suggests a shambling or awkward way of moving, not careful control. You would not usually describe a skilled athlete this way unless you wanted to stress an awkward look. For example, you might say, "The dog lolloped after the ball," or "He lolloped across the yard in oversized boots."

It is a vivid word because it does more than say someone moved. It shows the shape of the movement: long strides, uneven rhythm, and a sense of weight or looseness. Sometimes the tone is fond or amused, but the basic idea is still awkward, bouncing motion. If you picture something moving forward in a clumsy but lively way, "lollop" is often the right word.