Definition

1. Noun:

   • A playful, lively leap or skip; a frolic: A gambol is a lighthearted, energetic movement, often involving jumping or skipping, done for fun or amusement.

2. Verb:

   • To run and jump about playfully; to frolic: To gambol means to move in a lively, playful, and carefree way, typically by running, jumping, or skipping.

Usage

• The word gambol describes movement that is joyful, spontaneous, and full of energy. It is often used to describe the playful behavior of young animals (like lambs, puppies, or children).
• It functions as both a noun (e.g., "a happy gambol") and a verb (e.g., "to gambol in the field").

Examples

• Noun:

  • The lambs' gambols in the meadow were a delightful sight.
  • After the rain, the children enjoyed a gambol through the puddles.

• Verb:

  • The puppies gamboled around their mother in the grass.
  • We watched the foals gambol in the spring sunshine.

Advanced Usage

• "To gambol about/around": To move playfully in an area.
  • The kittens gamboled about the living room, chasing a ball of yarn.

Variants and Related Words

• Frolic (noun/verb): A very close synonym, meaning playful and lively behavior or movement.
• Romp (noun/verb): To play in a lively, boisterous way.
• Caper (noun/verb): A playful skipping leap or prance.

Synonyms

• Frolic
• Caper
• Romp
• Cavort
• Frisk
• Skip

Antonyms

• Trudge: To walk slowly with heavy steps.
• Plod: To walk slowly with effort.
• Lumber: To move in a slow, heavy, awkward way.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To be full of gambol": (Archaic/Literary) To be very playful and lively.
  • The young colt was full of gambol and spirit.

Noun

1. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
   • it was all done in play
   • their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly

Verb

1. play boisterously
   • The children frolicked in the garden
   • the gamboling lambs in the meadows
   • The toddlers romped in the playroom