Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Moving easily and quickly; nimble: Describes movement that is light, graceful, and effortless, often with a quick, springy step.
   • Characterized by a buoyant or lilting rhythm: Describes a rhythm, sound, or pace that is lively, flowing, and pleasantly rhythmic.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The dancer's movements were light and tripping. (The dancer moved with effortless, quick grace.)
  • She walked with a light, tripping step across the stage. (Her walk across the stage was quick and nimble.)
  • The music had a tripping rhythm that made everyone want to dance. (The music had a lively, flowing rhythm.)

Advanced Usage

• "A tripping measure": A rhythmic pattern in music or poetry that is light and flowing.
  • The poem was written in a tripping meter. (The poem had a light, rhythmic pattern.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trip (verb): To move with light, quick steps; to skip or dance lightly.
  • The children tripped happily down the path. (The children skipped lightly down the path.)
• Trippingly (adverb): In a light, quick, and nimble manner.
  • The lines of the play were spoken trippingly. (The lines were spoken in a light, fluent manner.)

Synonyms

• Nimble: Quick and light in movement or action.
• Lilting: Having a light, graceful rhythm.
• Buoyant: Cheerful and lively; capable of keeping something afloat (can describe a mood or step).
• Lightsome: (Archaic) Merry, light-hearted, or nimble.

Related Phrases

• Tripping the light fantastic: A poetic or humorous phrase meaning to dance.
  • They spent the evening tripping the light fantastic. (They spent the evening dancing.)

Notes on Different Meanings

• Caution: The word "tripping" is also the present participle or gerund of the verb "trip", which primarily means to stumble or fall by catching one's foot. It can also mean to activate a mechanism or to travel. This is a separate usage from the adjective form defined above.
  • Example (Verb - to stumble): Be careful not to trip on the rug.
  • The adjective "tripping" described here focuses solely on the qualities of lightness, quickness, and rhythmic grace.

Adjective

1. moving easily and quickly; nimble
   • the dancer was light and graceful
   • a lightsome buoyant step
   • walked with a light tripping step
2. characterized by a buoyant rhythm
   • an easy lilting stride
   • the flute broke into a light lilting air
   • a swinging pace
   • a graceful swingy walk
   • a tripping singing measure