Meaning & use
trotting
Last updated
“trotting” is a form of “trot”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Moving at a steady pace faster than a walk, as a horse does with each diagonal pair of legs moving together.
Grammar: No object: the horse was trotting; often with a direction.
Patterns
- trotting along
- trotting across something
The pony was trotting around the ring.
We saw a fox trotting along the fence.
Riders were trotting across the field.
verbintransitiveinformal
Walking or running lightly and briskly, often in a cheerful or busy way.
Grammar: Often informal, with off, over or along: trotting off.
Patterns
- trotting off
- trotting over to something
The little boy came trotting down the stairs.
She was trotting to the shop before it closed.
He kept trotting back for more cake.
noununcountablesport
The act or sport of racing horses that move at a trot.
Grammar: Used as a noun in sports: harness racing is also called trotting.
Patterns
- trotting race
- trotting track
Trotting is popular at country fairs.
The family watched the trotting on Saturday.
He drives horses in trotting races.
Word forms
| base form | trot |
|---|---|
| third person singular | trots |
| past tense | trotted |
| past participle | trotted |
Common combinations
- trotting along
- The dog kept trotting along beside us.
- trotting down
- Children were trotting down the hill.
- trotting horse
- A trotting horse needs a smooth rhythm.
- trotting race
- The trotting race drew a big crowd.
- trotting off
- She was trotting off to class.
Synonyms and how they differ
- jogging
- Jogging is for people running slowly for exercise, while trotting is mostly for animals or light brisk steps.
- cantering
- Cantering is a smoother, faster horse gait than trotting.
- scampering
- Scampering suggests quick light running of small animals or children, usually playful.
- strolling
- Strolling is slow and relaxed, unlike the faster trotting.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: trotting or trotting out?
trotting vs trotting out
Trotting out means repeating an excuse or fact that has been said many times, not running.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'trotting' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Was trotting is a correct past progressive. The others have grammar errors.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “trotting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.