1 B1 neutral
Of a wheeled vehicle or object: to move along slowly and heavily, often with a rumbling sound.
"An old steam train trundled along the narrow track through the countryside."
inseparable
trundle along
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To move slowly and heavily on wheels, or to proceed steadily but without haste or particular energy.
In plain English
To move slowly and steadily, often making a rumbling sound, like a heavy vehicle or someone going at their own pace.
What does "trundle along" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
Of a person or process: to proceed steadily but slowly, without urgency or particular energy.
"The negotiations trundled along for months without reaching any conclusion."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To roll along slowly on wheels.
Actually means
To move slowly and steadily, often making a rumbling sound, like a heavy vehicle or someone going at their own pace.
Usage tip
Can be used literally of wheeled vehicles (especially old, heavy, or slow ones) and figuratively of processes or people moving along steadily but without urgency. Often carries a gentle, sometimes affectionate tone. Common in British English.
Words that pair with "trundle along"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
road track path wheels wagon bus
How to conjugate "trundle along"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
trundle along
I/you/we/they
3rd person
trundles along
he/she/it
Past simple
trundled along
yesterday
Past participle
trundled along
have + pp
-ing form
trundling along
continuous
Hear "trundle along" in the wild
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