saunter

Meaning

Verb

To stroll, or walk at a leisurely pace.

Noun

1. A leisurely walk or stroll.
2. A leisurely pace.
3. (obsolete) A place for sauntering or strolling.

Synonyms

stroll

ramble

walk

🚶

promenade

perambulation

wander

loaf

lounge

lazybones

linger

prowl

dead-beat

slow-coach

lazy boy girl

drift

amble

sluggard

idler

lounger

dawdle

mosey

dawdler

layabout

strut

toddle

turn

vagrancy

walkabout

walk about

wandering

kick about

kick around

walk slowly

wander about

walking

🚶

serape lightly

walk in a preoccupied air

airing

bummel

do-nothing

gad

gallivant

go about

hang about

hobble

jaunt

knock about

loafer

loiter

look round

lounge about

mill

outing

perambulate

peregrination

potter

range

rove

shuffle

slob

step

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsɔntɚ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: santren

Cognate with Middle English: aunter

Cognate with German: schlendern

Cognate with Dutch: slenteren

Cognate with Danish: slentre

Cognate with Swedish: släntra

Cognate with Icelandic: slentur

In summary

Etymology unclear. Attested in the sense “to stroll” from the 1660s; noun sense “a stroll” attested 1828. Likely from earlier term meaning “to muse”, late 15th century, from late Middle English santren, of unknown origin. Competing theories exist:
* From Anglo-Norman sauntrer (mid 14th century), from Middle French s'aventurer (“to take risks”); however this is considered unlikely by the OED. Compare Middle English aunter (“adventure”).
* Of Germanic origin, with proposed cognates including German schlendern, Dutch slenteren, Danish slentre, Swedish släntra, and Icelandic slentur, all meaning “to stroll”.
* From Old French sentier (“path”). In this case, santren would reflect earlier *sa(u)nteren, *senteren /sa(u̯)nˈteːrən/, /sɛnˈteːrən/, with Late Middle English stress shift and concomitant vowel reduction.
Various fanciful folk etymologies have also been given.