verb
hobble
HO-buhl
verb
1
To walk with difficulty, typically because of an injury or pain.
"He hobbled to the bus stop on his sprained ankle."
"The old dog hobbled across the yard toward its bowl."
2
To restrict or hinder someone or something's progress.
"A lack of funding hobbled the project from the start."
noun
1
A strap tied between an animal's legs to stop it wandering or running off.
"The rancher fitted a hobble on the horse before leaving it to graze."
How to Use Hobble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo walk awkwardly or with a limp, or to hold something back from working properly.
Common pairings
hobble along
hobbled by injury
Word Forms
hobbled past tense, hobbles plural, hobbles singular
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He _____ to the bus stop on his sprained ankle.
Etymology
From Middle English hobblen, related to Middle Dutch hobbelen, of similar meaning.