hobble

1 of 2

verb

hob·​ble ˈhä-bəl 

hobbled; hobbling ˈhä-b(ə-)liŋ  ; hobbles

intransitive verb

: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty

especially : to limp along

transitive verb

1

: to cause to limp : disable

2

[probably alteration of hopple to hobble]

a

: to fasten together the legs of (an animal, such as a horse) to prevent straying : fetter

b

: to place under handicap : hamper, impede

hobbler

ˈhä-b(ə-)lər 

noun

plural hobblers

hobble

2 of 2

noun

1

: a hobbling movement

2

archaic : an awkward situation

3

: something used to hobble an animal

Synonyms

Verb

• clog
• cramp
• embarrass
• encumber
• fetter
• hamper
• handcuff
• handicap
• hinder
• hog-tie
• hold back
• hold up
• impede
• inhibit
• interfere (with)
• manacle
• obstruct
• shackle
• short-circuit
• stymie
• tie up
• trammel

Examples of hobble in a Sentence

Verb

She picked up her cane and hobbled across the room.

She is sometimes hobbled by self-doubt.

He has been hobbled by a knee injury.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Those high interest rates recently hobbled one fractional company. —Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 26 Apr. 2024

Nonetheless, two days later, Williams hobbled his way through an event for his foundation, Caleb Cares. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hobble

• hobble skirt

Kids Definition

hobble

1 of 2 verb

hob·​ble ˈhäb-əl 

hobbled; hobbling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to walk with difficulty : limp

hobble along on crutches

b

: to make lame

hobbled by an ankle injury

2

a

: to keep from straying by tying two legs together

hobble a horse

b

: hamper entry 1, impede

hobble

2 of 2 noun

1

: a hobbling walk

2

: something used to hobble an animal

Medical Definition

hobble

1 of 2 verb

hob·​ble ˈhäb-əl 

hobbled; hobbling -(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty

especially : to limp along

transitive verb

1

: to cause to limp : make lame : cripple

2

: to fasten together the legs of (as a horse) to prevent straying

hobble

2 of 2 noun

: something used to hobble an animal