noun
gait
gayt
Gait (noun) means a person's particular manner or pattern of walking. Example: “You could recognize him from a distance just by his gait.”
noun
1
A person's particular manner or pattern of walking.
"You could recognize him from a distance just by his gait."
"The injury gave her an uneven gait."
2
One of the distinct patterns a horse uses to move, such as a walk, trot, canter, or gallop.
"The trainer taught the horse a smooth, even gait."
How to use gait
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe way someone or something (especially a horse) walks or moves.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "gate" (an entrance) — they sound alike but are unrelated in modern meaning.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- gaits
- Third person singular
- gaits
- Past tense
- gaited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You could recognize him from a distance just by his _____.
Etymology
From an old use of "gate" meaning "way" or "manner" — the same root that gives us the word "gate" itself.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for gait
See all rhymes for gait →Frequently asked questions
What does “gait” mean?
The word “gait” means a person's particular manner or pattern of walking. In plain terms, the way someone or something (especially a horse) walks or moves.
How do you pronounce “gait”?
“Gait” is pronounced gayt (/ɡeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “gait” in a sentence?
Here is “gait” used in a sentence: “You could recognize him from a distance just by his gait.”
What part of speech is “gait”?
“Gait” is a noun.
How many meanings does “gait” have?
“Gait” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's particular manner or pattern of walking.
