What does walkies mean?
Walkies is an informal, chiefly British plural noun meaning a walk taken for pleasure, especially a routine outing with a dog. The expression has a warm, domestic, often slightly playful tone: “Let’s take the dog for walkies” sounds conversational and caring rather than formal, while “I’m going for a walk” is the usual neutral alternative. It can also refer to a person’s leisure walk, though the dog-walking sense is especially familiar in everyday speech. Walkies is already plural in form and commonly appears in the fixed expression “go for walkies.” In writing, it most often appears in dialogue, informal narration, captions, and descriptions of canine routines. Its appeal lies in the gentle, affectionate sound of the ending, which makes an ordinary walk sound like a shared treat or pleasant ritual. Because it is informal and regionally associated with Britain, it is less suitable for formal reports, though it is readily understood in American English and elsewhere.
plural nounAn informal word for a walk taken for pleasure, especially a routine walk with a dog.
- A routine walk with a dog.
- A leisure walk taken for pleasure by a person.
"Let's take the dog for his walkies before dinner."
"We took Biscuit for his walkies around the park."
"After work, she went for walkies by the river."
Walkies is already plural in form and is normally used with plural agreement or in fixed expressions such as go for walkies.
"The dog gets his walkies at six every morning."
Walkies turns an ordinary outing into a ritual, especially when the dog gets to choose the route.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of walkies
Walkies is an English formation based on walk, an Old English word meaning to move or go on foot, with the plural ending -ies. The resulting noun is colloquial and familiar, especially in the expression go for walkies. Walker, walking, and walkway share the same root, while walkie-talkie has a different origin and refers to a radio rather than an outing.
How walkies is actually used
Walkies is informal, warm, and often slightly playful. It is especially associated with British usage and is frequently used in dialogue or informal writing about dogs. The ending makes the word sound affectionate and familiar.
Easily confused with walkies
Walk is the general, standard noun for traveling on foot, while walkies is an informal, plural-in-form word often used for a pleasurable or dog-related outing.
Walkie-talkie is a two-way radio, whereas walkies refers to taking a walk.