tootle

verb

too·​tle ˈtü-tᵊl How to pronounce tootle (audio)
tootled; tootling
ˈtüt-liŋ,
ˈtü-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce tootle (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to toot gently, repeatedly, or continuously
2
: to drive or move along in a leisurely manner

transitive verb

: to toot continuously on
tootled his flute
tootle noun
tootler
ˈtüt-lər
ˈtü-tᵊl-ər How to pronounce tootle (audio)
noun

Examples of tootle in a Sentence

We tootled along the highway. He tootled on the flute.
Recent Examples on the Web Enter Father Amorth, tootling around Europe on a motor scooter, guzzling whiskey from a flask, and perhaps having more fun than an exorcist should be allowed. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2023 Well into her 90s, Ms. Hoffman was known to tootle around in a pink Cadillac driven by a fellow nonagenarian. Alex Traub, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2020 Vector’s main activity is tootling around on a table and investigating its surroundings. Dieter Bohn, The Verge, 8 Aug. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tootle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of toot entry 1

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tootle was in 1820

Dictionary Entries Near tootle

Cite this Entry

“Tootle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tootle. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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