verb
pad
To walk with soft, steady steps.
The cat pads quietly down the hall toward the kitchen.
Etymology
The walking verb evokes a repeated soft footfall. Its expressive character suits steady, quiet steps, though its deeper ancestry is uncertain.
More examples
- I pad barefoot across the cool kitchen floor.
- The dog padded along beside us on the trail.
- She hears her son padding down the stairs in his slippers.
Forms
pad · pads · padded · padding
Similar words
- tiptoe
- Means walking on the toes, usually to avoid noise.
- tread
- Describes stepping or walking without necessarily suggesting soft steps.