What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gait
Example
The horse's gait was smooth and graceful. [gait: noun]
Example
He walked with a slow and steady gait. [gait: noun]
stride
Example
She took long strides as she walked down the street. [strides: noun]
Example
He strode confidently into the room. [strode: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stride is more commonly used than gait in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Stride is versatile and can be used to convey various meanings, while gait is more specific and often used in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gait and stride?
While gait is typically associated with a formal or clinical tone, stride is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.