wade
6 synonyms for wade, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To walk through water or another substance that slows you down.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use wade
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wade into
wade through
wade across a river
Etymology
From Old English "wadan" (to go or pass through), tracing back to a very old Indo-European root meaning simply "to go".
Full origin of wade →Frequently asked questions
What does “wade” mean?
The word “wade” means to walk through water or another substance that slows you down. In plain terms, to walk through something that resists you — water, mud, or a mountain of tasks.
How do you pronounce “wade”?
“Wade” is pronounced wayd (/weɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “wade” in a sentence?
Here is “wade” used in a sentence: “The children waded into the shallow end of the lake.”
What part of speech is “wade”?
“Wade” is a verb.
Where does the word “wade” come from?
The word “wade” comes from Old English. From Old English "wadan" (to go or pass through), tracing back to a very old Indo-European root meaning simply "to go".
Is “wade” a common word?
“Wade” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wade” have?
“Wade” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to walk through water or another substance that slows you down.
What is the difference between "wade" and "swim"?
To "wade" is to walk through water while keeping your feet on the bottom, usually where it is shallow. To "swim" is to move through deeper water by floating and using your arms and legs, with your feet off the ground. You wade in the shallows and swim once it gets too deep to stand.
