What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hobble
Example
The old man hobbled across the room with the help of his cane. [hobbled: past tense]
Example
She tried to hobble on her sprained ankle, but it was too painful. [hobble: verb]
shuffle
Example
He shuffled his feet nervously as he waited for his turn to speak. [shuffled: past tense]
Example
We shuffled along the beach, enjoying the sound of the waves. [shuffle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shuffle is more commonly used than hobble in everyday language. Shuffle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hobble is less common and refers to a specific type of slow and unsteady walk.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hobble and shuffle?
Both hobble and shuffle are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
