verb
hobble
HO-buhl
Hobble (verb) means to walk with difficulty, typically because of an injury or pain. Example: “He hobbled to the bus stop on his sprained ankle.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- hobbles
- Third person singular
- hobbles
- Past tense
- hobbled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ to the bus stop on his sprained ankle.
Etymology
From Middle English hobblen, related to Middle Dutch hobbelen, of similar meaning.
Related words
Rhymes for hobble
See all rhymes for hobble →Frequently asked questions
What does “hobble” mean?
The word “hobble” means to walk with difficulty, typically because of an injury or pain. In plain terms, to walk awkwardly or with a limp, or to hold something back from working properly.
How do you pronounce “hobble”?
“Hobble” is pronounced HO-buhl (/ˈhɒbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “hobble” in a sentence?
Here is “hobble” used in a sentence: “He hobbled to the bus stop on his sprained ankle.”
What is another word for “hobble”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hobble” include tether.
What part of speech is “hobble”?
Depending on how it is used, “hobble” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “hobble” come from?
The word “hobble” comes from Middle English. From Middle English hobblen, related to Middle Dutch hobbelen, of similar meaning.
How many meanings does “hobble” have?
“Hobble” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to walk with difficulty, typically because of an injury or pain.
