Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To move about on foot in a leisurely, aimless, or random manner, often within a general area: The core meaning involves walking without a fixed destination or specific route.
   • To behave or carry oneself in a particular, often noticeable, way: Used figuratively to describe someone's habitual demeanor or the company they keep.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To move on foot around or about a specific object, place, or area: To walk so as to encircle, inspect, or traverse the perimeter of something.

Usage and Examples

• Intransitive verb (aimless movement):

  • "We spent the afternoon just walking around the old town, exploring its narrow streets."
  • "He likes to walk around and think when he's trying to solve a difficult problem."

• Intransitive verb (manner/behavior):

  • "Ever since he got the promotion, he walks around like he owns the place." (Behaves arrogantly)
  • "She walks around with a constant smile on her face." (Habitual demeanor)

• Transitive verb (encircling/moving about an area):

  • "The security guard walks around the building every hour."
  • "Visitors are encouraged to walk around the sculpture to view it from all angles."

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "walk around with [something abstract]": To persistently have or display a particular feeling, idea, or attitude.

  • "He's been walking around with a sense of guilt since the argument."
  • "Don't walk around with the mistaken belief that this will be easy."

• Implied lack of purpose: The phrase often, but not always, carries a connotation of casual, undirected, or recreational movement, as opposed to "walk to" (a destination) or "walk for" (a purpose like exercise).

Variants and Related Words

• Walk about: A synonym, more common in British English, with identical meanings for aimless walking. ("She went for a walk about in the park.")
• Stroll, Amble, Wander: Synonyms emphasizing a leisurely, relaxed, or aimless walk.
• Pace, Circle: Synonyms for the transitive use, but with more specific connotations of repetitive or anxious movement.

Synonyms

• For movement: Wander, stroll, amble, roam, meander.
• For behavior/compartment: Conduct oneself, carry oneself, behave.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Walk about: Functionally identical to the intransitive use of "walk around."
• Walk off: To depart on foot, often to dissipate a feeling (e.g., "walk off a big meal").
• Walk through: To rehearse or explain something step by step; or to traverse an area.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Walk around in a daze: To move about while being confused or stunned.
  • "After hearing the shocking news, she just walked around in a daze for the rest of the day."
• Walk around on eggshells: To be extremely cautious in one's actions or words to avoid causing offense or trouble.
  • "Since their fight, everyone has been walking around on eggshells in the office."

Verb

1. walk randomly
   • We were walking around in the neighborhood to see whether we could find an open drugstore
2. behave in a certain manner or have certain properties
   • He walks around with his nose in the air
   • She walks around with this strange boyfriend
3. walk around something
4. walk with no particular goal
   • we were walking around in the garden
   • after breakfast, she walked about in the park