gambol
gambol Lexical Profile
gambol Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To run, jump, or skip about playfully.
"Newborn lambs began to gambol across the green hillside in the warm spring sunshine."
• noun
An act of running, jumping, or skipping about playfully; a lively frolic or caper.
"The children's cheerful gambols across the meadow brought a smile to everyone watching from the porch."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'gambol' (to skip or leap about playfully) with its homophone 'gamble' (to bet money or take a risky chance). Note that in British English, the inflected verb forms double the final consonant ('gambolled', 'gambolling'), whereas American English commonly uses a single 'l' ('gamboled', 'gamboling').
• Rhymes for gambol
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 16th century (originally as 'gambald' or 'gambaud') from Middle French 'gambade' (a leap or spring), from Italian 'gambata', derived from 'gamba' (leg), which traces back to Late Latin 'gamba' (horse's hock or leg) and Ancient Greek 'kampē' (a bend or joint).