WordGarden.iotrundle
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /trˈʌndəl/
US
- /ˈtrəndəl/
Meanings
Verb
to move or roll something slowly and heavily, often on wheels
Noun
a low bed on wheels that is stored under another bed
Beyond the definition
Imagine an old-fashioned bed that slides out on little wheels from under a bigger one: that's a trundle bed. But the word is not just about furniture. It can also describe something rolling or moving along slowly and heavily, like an old wagon, a cart full of boxes, or a tired child making their way down the hall. You might say a shopping cart trundled across the parking lot, or that a bus trundles through a quiet village. The sound of the word itself feels a little bumpy, which suits that slow rolling motion.
The word "trundle" has a charmingly old-fashioned feel to it, evoking images of simpler times. Originally, a trundle was a small wheel used for things like winding up ropes or pulling loads. This evolved into the name for a low bed on wheels that could be rolled out from under a larger bed—perfect for guests or growing children!
But "trundle" isn't limited to furniture. As a verb, it means to move something heavy or awkward along with effort. Think of a large stone being trundled across a field, or a child's toy car trundling down a hill. It implies a slow, somewhat clumsy movement, often accompanied by noise.
You might also use "trundle" to describe people moving in this way: "The tourists trundled through the museum, stopping at each exhibit." Or perhaps, "He trundled off to bed, exhausted after a long day." It suggests weariness or a lack of energy.
While not used as frequently in modern conversation as some words, "trundle" adds a lovely descriptive touch when you want to convey slow, awkward motion—whether it's a piece of furniture, an object, or even a person!
Examples
- 1
Cart movement
The old cart trundled down the lane.
- 2
Travel luggage
She trundled her suitcase across the airport floor.
- 3
Wheelchair movement
He came trundling into the kitchen in his wheelchair.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- trundleverbnoun
Forms
- trundledpast tenseverbnoun
- trundling-ing formverbnoun
- trundlesverbnoun