Standard Lemma guide

pootle

noun · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈpuːtəl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -uːtəl

1

noun

Meaning 1

A stroll; a wandering.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK

Examples

  • go for a pootle

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To wander or ramble in a leisurely, indirect, or aimless manner, such as by walking or driving.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ramble, wander, potter

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Apparently an alteration of poodle, from German Low German Pudel, from the onomatopoeic term pudeln (“to splash about”) by its merging with tootle. Alternatively, a blending of doodle (to draw aimlessly) with potter (to move aimlessly)—as reported by 1970s English visitors to Australia.