A2 verb Neutral #7,000 most common 1 min read

stroll

/strəʊl/

Stroll means to walk slowly and relaxedly, typically for pleasure.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Walk slowly and relaxedly.
  • Enjoyable, unhurried movement.
  • Often done in pleasant places.

Overview

The word 'stroll' describes a type of walking that is characterized by its relaxed and unhurried nature. Unlike a brisk walk or a purposeful stride, a stroll is typically taken for enjoyment, to clear one's head, or simply to experience the surroundings at a gentle pace. It evokes a sense of calm and leisure, suggesting that the walker has ample time and no pressing concerns.

As a verb, 'stroll' is often used with prepositions like 'through', 'along', 'in', or 'around' to indicate the location of the walk. For example, one might 'stroll through the park', 'stroll along the beach', or 'stroll around the city'. It can also be used intransitively, simply stating that someone is strolling. The present participle form, 'strolling', is frequently used to describe an ongoing activity.

Strolling is commonly associated with pleasant environments and activities. People often stroll in parks, gardens, along waterfronts, through quiet neighborhoods, or at outdoor markets and festivals. It's a typical activity for a leisurely weekend, a vacation, or a moment of personal reflection. The word carries a positive connotation, suggesting a peaceful and enjoyable experience.

While 'walk' is a general term for moving on foot, 'stroll' specifically denotes a leisurely walk. 'Amble' is very similar to 'stroll', also implying a slow and relaxed pace, sometimes with a slightly more aimless quality. 'Saunter' suggests walking in a confident, relaxed, and unhurried way, perhaps with a touch of swagger. 'Meander' implies a winding, indirect path, often without a clear direction, similar to a stroll but emphasizing the indirect route.

Examples

1

We like to stroll through the park on Sunday mornings.

everyday

Nos gusta pasear por el parque los domingos por la mañana.

2

The couple took a romantic stroll along the moonlit beach.

descriptive

La pareja dio un paseo romántico por la playa iluminada por la luna.

3

After the big meal, we just decided to stroll around the neighborhood.

informal

Después de la gran comida, simplemente decidimos dar una vuelta por el barrio.

4

He often strolls through the botanical gardens to find inspiration.

leisure

A menudo pasea por los jardines botánicos para encontrar inspiración.

Common Collocations

stroll in the park paseo por el parque
stroll along the beach paseo por la playa
take a stroll dar un paseo
stroll around pasear por

Common Phrases

take a stroll

dar un paseo

enjoy a stroll

disfrutar de un paseo

go for a stroll

ir a dar un paseo

Often Confused With

stroll vs walk

'Walk' is a general term for moving on foot. 'Stroll' specifically refers to a slow, relaxed, and leisurely walk, often for pleasure, whereas 'walk' can be fast or purposeful.

stroll vs run

'Run' means to move at a speed faster than a walk, never implying leisure. 'Stroll' is the opposite, indicating a slow and relaxed pace.

Grammar Patterns

stroll + preposition (e.g., through, along, in, around) stroll + adverb (e.g., slowly, leisurely, happily) Subject + stroll + adverbial phrase of place/time

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word 'stroll' is best used to describe a relaxed and unhurried pace. It implies enjoyment or a lack of urgency. While it can be used in slightly more formal contexts, it primarily conveys a sense of leisure and ease.


Common Mistakes

Avoid using 'stroll' to describe quick or purposeful movement. For instance, saying 'He was strolling to catch his train' would be incorrect because catching a train implies urgency, which contradicts the meaning of 'stroll'. Use 'hurry' or 'rush' instead in such cases.

Tips

💡

Imagine a relaxed pace

Think of a leisurely walk in a park or along a beach when you use the word 'stroll'.

⚠️

Avoid for urgent movement

Do not use 'stroll' when describing someone who is rushing or walking with purpose and speed.

🌍

Leisurely walks are universal

The concept of taking a relaxed walk for pleasure is common across many cultures, often associated with enjoying nature or social interaction.

Word Origin

The word 'stroll' likely originated in the 16th century. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it may be related to the Middle Dutch word 'strōlen', meaning 'to wander about'. It evolved to describe a leisurely walk.

Cultural Context

In many cultures, taking a leisurely walk, or 'stroll', is seen as a healthy and enjoyable way to spend free time. It can be a solitary activity for reflection or a social one, fostering connection and conversation.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone 'strolling' through a field of tall grass, where they have to move slowly and gently. The 'str' sound might remind you of 'stride', but the 'oll' sound suggests a more relaxed, rolling motion.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

While 'walk' is a general term for moving on foot, 'stroll' specifically describes a slow, relaxed, and leisurely walk, often for enjoyment.

People often stroll in pleasant outdoor locations such as parks, beaches, gardens, or quiet city streets where they can relax and enjoy their surroundings.

'Stroll' is generally considered informal to neutral. It's commonly used in everyday conversation and writing but might be less frequent in highly formal or technical contexts.

No, 'stroll' specifically implies a slow and unhurried pace. It is the opposite of walking quickly or purposefully.

Test Yourself

fill blank

We decided to ___ through the park after dinner.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: strolled

'Strolled' is the past tense of 'stroll' and fits the context of a leisurely walk after dinner.

multiple choice

Which word means to walk in a leisurely way?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Stroll

'Stroll' specifically means to walk in a leisurely way, while 'dash', 'sprint', and 'march' imply faster or more purposeful movement.

sentence building

Build a sentence using: 'We', 'the', 'along', 'river', 'strolled', 'quietly'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: We quietly strolled along the river.

This arrangement forms a grammatically correct sentence describing a leisurely walk along the river.

Score: /3

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