Wallow — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈwä-(ˌ)lō/ wal·low

Meaning & Definition of Wallow

Wallow (verb)

  1. to roll oneself about in a lazy, relaxed, or ungainly manner
  2. to billow forth, surge
  3. to devote oneself entirely; especially, to take unrestrained pleasure, delight

Wallow (noun)

  1. an act or instance of wallowing
  2. a muddy area or one filled with dust used by animals for wallowing
  3. a depression formed by or as if by the wallowing of animals

Wallow (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a sunken and often wet area like that used by animals to roll in

    "The pig seemed happy to lie in its muddy wallow."

    similar: borehole, chuckhole, crater, posthole, pothole, sinkhole, water hole, well, burrow, cave, cavern, ditch, excavation, furrow, groove, gutter, trench, trough, basin, bowl, valley, alcove, cleft, niche, nook, opening, recess, socket, alveolus, dimple, gouge, impression, imprint, notch, pocket, abyss, chasm, gulf, vacuity, vacuum, void, cavity, concavity, dent, depression, dint, hole, hollow, indentation, indenture, pit
    opposite: hill, mound, rise, bump, bunch, hump, lump, pimple, swell, swelling, tumor, bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion, protuberance

Wallow (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to completely give (oneself) over to something (such as an emotion)

    "After being laid off, he spent much of his time wallowing in self-pity."

    "They wallowed in all the indulgences provided by the resort."

    similar: bask, luxuriate, revel, roll, grovel, abandon, deliver, give up, indulge, surrender, yield, delight, enjoy, relish, savor, overdo, overindulge
    opposite: abstain (from), eschew, forbear, forgo, refrain (from), check, inhibit, restrain, deny

  2. to roll around in an ungainly manner

    "We saw a herd of cattle wallowing in the marsh."

    similar: welter, shamble, shuffle, falter, lurch, reel, stagger, sway, teeter, totter, fumble, muddle, blunder, bumble, flog (British), limp, lumber, plod, struggle, stumble, trudge
    opposite: coast, fly, glide, kilt, sail, zip, zoom

Related Entry: Wallow (in) (verb)

Wallow (in) is a different word from Wallow. The synonyms below are for wallow (in), not for wallow.

  1. as in indulge (in), luxuriate (in)

    similar: indulge (in), luxuriate (in), cotton (to), favor, prefer, dote (on), idolize, devour, drink (in), eat (up), feast (on), prize, treasure, value, admire, appreciate, cherish, revere, venerate, worship, adore, delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, get off (on), groove (on), like, love, rejoice (in), relish, revel (in), savor
    opposite: abhor, abominate, detest, dislike, hate, loathe, condemn, despise, scorn

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Wallow

The most common words with a similar meaning to Wallow:

British: flog
borehole, chuckhole, crater, posthole, pothole, sinkhole, water hole, well, burrow, cave, cavern, ditch, excavation, furrow, groove, gutter, trench, trough, basin, bowl, valley, alcove, cleft, niche, nook, opening, recess, socket, alveolus, dimple, gouge, impression, imprint, notch, pocket, abyss, chasm, gulf, vacuity, vacuum

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Wallow

Words with the opposite meaning of Wallow:

hill, mound, rise, bump, bunch, hump, lump, pimple, swell, swelling, tumor, bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion, protuberance, abstain (from), eschew, forbear, forgo, refrain (from), check, inhibit, restrain, deny, coast, fly, glide

Word Forms of Wallow

Inflections: wallowed, wallowing, wallows

Derived words: wallower (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Wallow

Middle English walwen "to turn oneself over and over, writhe about, roll oneself in a substance, indulge oneself unrestrainedly," going back to Old English wealwian "to roll (of a round object), to roll from side to side (of a person or animal), roll in a substance," going back to Germanic *walwōjan-, iterative derivative of a base *walw-, also in Gothic afwalwjan "to roll away (an object)," atwalwjan "to roll up to," going back to Indo-European *u̯ol-u̯-, ablaut derivative of a base *u̯el-u̯-, whence Latin volvō, volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll" (< *u̯eluu̯ō), Greek eilýō, eilýein "to wrap round, envelop," Armenian gelum "to twist, squeeze"

First known use: before 12th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Wallow

What does "Wallow" mean?

"Wallow" means to roll oneself about in a lazy, relaxed, or ungainly manner. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to roll oneself about in a lazy, relaxed, or ungainly manner. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Wallow"?

Other words for "Wallow" include borehole, chuckhole, crater, posthole, pothole, sinkhole, water hole and well. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Wallow" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Wallow"?

There are 89 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Wallow". Common alternatives include borehole, chuckhole, crater, posthole, pothole, sinkhole, water hole, well, burrow and cave.

What is the opposite of "Wallow"?

Antonyms of "Wallow" include hill, mound, rise, bump, bunch, hump, lump and pimple.

How do you use "Wallow" in a sentence?

Examples of "Wallow" in a sentence: "The pig seemed happy to lie in its muddy wallow."; "After being laid off, he spent much of his time wallowing in self-pity."; "They wallowed in all the indulgences provided by the resort.".

Is "Wallow" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Wallow" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Wallow"?

"Wallow" is pronounced /ˈwä-(ˌ)lō/ and divided into syllables as wal·low.

What is the origin of the word "Wallow"?

"Wallow" comes from Middle English walwen "to turn oneself over and over, writhe about, roll oneself in a substance, indulge oneself unrestrainedly," going back to Old English wealwian "to roll (of a round object), to roll from side to side (of a person or animal), roll in a substance," going back to Germanic *walwōjan-, iterative derivative of a base *walw-, also in Gothic afwalwjan "to roll away (an object)," atwalwjan "to roll up to," going back to Indo-European *u̯ol-u̯-, ablaut derivative of a base *u̯el-u̯-, whence Latin volvō, volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll" (< *u̯eluu̯ō), Greek eilýō, eilýein "to wrap round, envelop," Armenian gelum "to twist, squeeze". First known use: before 12th century.