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DictionarylumberHeavy movement
verb

lumber

To move in a heavy, clumsy way.

The bear lumbers across the clearing.

Etymology

Lumber has an expressive history associated with cumbersome movement. Its deeper origin is uncertain, but the verb evokes the slow, awkward motion of something heavy.

More examples

  • The overloaded bus lumbered up the hill.
  • They are lumbering through deep snow.
  • He had lumbered toward the gate.

Forms

lumber · lumbers · lumbered · lumbering

Similar words

trudge
Emphasizes effort and weariness while walking.
plod
Emphasizes slow, steady, laborious progress.