Hobble: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿšถ
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hobble

 

[ หˆhษ’b.ษ™l ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

walking

To walk unsteadily or with difficulty, typically because of an injury or physical condition. It can also refer to restrict the movement of someone or something.

Synonyms

hamper, impede, limp, stagger, stumble.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hobble

Used to describe someone or something moving with difficulty, often because of injury. It can be used both literally and metaphorically, such as hindering progress.

  • He hobbled down the street after twisting his ankle.
  • New regulations hobble the growth of small businesses.
limp

Describes walking with difficulty or unevenness, often due to injury or weakness. It usually applies to living beings.

  • He walked with a limp after the accident.
  • The injured dog limped away.
stumble

Refers to nearly falling or losing oneโ€™s balance while walking or running. Can also describe speaking or acting clumsily.

  • She stumbled over the uneven pavement.
  • During his speech, he stumbled over his words.
stagger

Describes a type of unsteady or lurching movement, often due to intoxication or weakness. Can also describe something shocking or overwhelming.

  • After drinking too much, he staggered home.
  • The news left him staggered.
impede

A more formal term often used in professional, legal, or academic settings to describe something that blocks or slows progress.

  • Road construction will impede traffic for weeks.
  • Their efforts were impeded by a lack of funding.
hamper

Typically used in a figurative sense to describe something that is preventing progress or movement. It is more formal and less about physical movement.

  • Heavy rain can hamper construction work.
  • His lack of experience hampered his job performance.

Examples of usage

  • She hobbled along on her crutches.
  • The injury hobbled his ability to play football.
  • The government's decision to hobble the company's expansion plans.
Context #2 | Noun

device

A device used to restrict the movement of a horse by tying together its forelegs or hind legs.

Synonyms

fetter, restraint, shackle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hobble

Used when describing someone walking with difficulty due to injury or pain. It can also refer to movements that are awkward or restricted.

  • After spraining his ankle, he could only hobble around the house
fetter

Often used in a metaphorical sense to describe limitations or restrictions imposed on someoneโ€™s freedom or actions. It can also refer to literal chains or shackles.

  • The oppressive laws fettered the citizens' freedoms
shackle

Literally refers to metal restraints, typically used on the ankles or wrists to limit movement. Figuratively, it can describe anything that confines or restricts freedom severely. This term often has a more negative connotation.

  • The prisoners were loaded onto the truck in shackles
  • The debt shackled him, making it impossible to pursue his dreams
restraint

Used to refer to a measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control. It can be physical like a strap, or metaphorical like self-control or regulation.

  • The police used handcuffs as a form of restraint
  • He showed great restraint by not responding angrily

Examples of usage

  • The horse had a hobble on to prevent it from running away.

Translations

Translations of the word "hobble" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mancar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเค‚เค—เคกเคผเคพเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช hinken

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ terpincang-pincang

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัˆะบัƒั‚ะธะปัŒะณะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kuล›tykaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ถณใ‚’ๅผ•ใใšใ‚‹ (ashi wo hikizuru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท boiter

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cojear

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท topallamak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ ˆ๋š๊ฑฐ๋ฆฌ๋‹ค (jeoltukgeorida)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุนุฑุฌ (ya'raj)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kulhat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ krรญvaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ท›่กŒ (bว’xรญng)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลกepati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ haltra

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐา›ัะฐะฟ ะถาฏั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒญแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ axsaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cojear

Etymology

The word 'hobble' originated from the Middle English word 'hobelen', which meant 'to move along at a slow pace'. It is believed to have roots in the Old French word 'hober', meaning 'to rock or sway'. Over time, the meaning of 'hobble' evolved to include the idea of moving unsteadily or with difficulty, as well as restricting movement. The use of 'hobble' in the context of a device to restrict a horse's movement dates back to the 18th century.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,081 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.