What does toddle mean?
“Toddle” most commonly describes the way a young child walks while still learning to move confidently: with short, slightly unsteady steps. As a verb, it can also be used playfully of adults, as in “we toddled along after dinner,” where it suggests a slow, informal, or leisurely walk. As a noun, “a toddle” means an instance or short period of walking in this manner. The word often carries a warm, affectionate association with childhood and early independence. It can also imply that someone is inexperienced or unsteady on their feet, though this is usually implicit rather than a serious criticism. The related word “toddler” originally referred to a person who toddled before broadening in meaning to refer to a young child. Although the expression sounds especially child-centered today, the verb has a broader playful use for anyone moving at an unhurried pace.
To walk with short, unsteady steps, especially as a young child learning to walk.
"The little boy toddled toward his mother with both arms outstretched."
Often used affectionately; for adults, it can playfully mean to walk slowly or casually.
A short walk made with short, unsteady steps.
"She watched the toddler's first toddles across the sunlit kitchen floor."
Usually countable and commonly associated with the unsteady walking of a young child.
The plural is used for separate instances or periods of walking in this manner.
"The child took a few more toddles and finally reached the chair."
One small, unsteady step gave English a familiar word: a child learning to walk is a toddler.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does toddle come from?
The verb is recorded from the early modern period and originally referred to walking with short, unsteady steps. Its agent-noun derivative, “toddler,” initially denoted a person who toddled and came to mean a young child learning to walk, before broadening to refer to a young child generally. The word's deeper source is not securely established.
Related word forms
How toddle is actually used
The word is often affectionate or mildly informal. It describes the unsteady walk of a young child and is also used playfully for adults taking a slow or leisurely walk.
Easily confused with toddle
A toddler is a young child, especially one learning to walk, whereas toddle is the verb describing the short, unsteady walk or the noun for such a walk.