wade
Wade (verb) means to walk through water or another substance that slows you down. Example: “The children waded into the shallow end of the lake.”
How to use wade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo walk through something that resists you — water, mud, or a mountain of tasks.
Word forms
waded past tense, wades plural, wades singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children _____ into the shallow end of the lake.
Etymology
From Old English "wadan" (to go or pass through), tracing back to a very old Indo-European root meaning simply "to go".
Related words
Rhymes for wade
See all rhymes for 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.
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