wade

1 of 2

verb

ˈwād 

waded; wading

intransitive verb

1

: to step in or through a medium (such as water) offering more resistance than air

2

: to move or proceed with difficulty or labor

wade through the crowd

wade through all the evidence

3

: to set to work or attack with determination or vigor

—used with in or into

wade into a task

transitive verb

: to pass or cross by wading

wadable adjective

or wadeable

ˈwā-də-bəl 

wade

2 of 2

noun

: an act of wading

a wade in the brook

Synonyms

Verb

• attack
• dive (into)
• tackle

Examples of wade in a Sentence

Verb

We waded into the ocean.

I jumped off the boat and waded back to shore.

Police waded into the crowd.

We waded through the crowded bus station.

It took several weeks to wade through all the evidence.

We waded our way through the crowd.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Progressive lawmakers on Monday echoed billionaire Elon Musk when Musk waded into the debate over the American healthcare system. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

The founders of Macondo wade through swampland in One Hundred Years of SolitudeMauro González—Netflix Solitude traces the rise and fall of a family, a house, a town—and, in its most conspicuous layer of symbolism, a civilization—over the course of, yes, 100 years. —Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Dec. 2024

Rob and Bobby shimmied into their swim trunks, slipped on protective footwear, and then waded into the water: first to the ankles, then gingerly to the knees. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024

Joe Raedle/Getty Images An environmentalist's take Several environmental groups have waded into the debate, and for many of them, real trees are the winner. —Alina Hartounian, NPR, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English wadan; akin to Old High German watan to go, wade, Latin vadere to go

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1665, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wade

verb

ˈwād

waded; wading

1

: to step in or through a substance (as water, mud, or sand) that is thicker than air

2

a

: to move or proceed slowly or with difficulty

wade through a dull book

b

: to attack or work energetically

waded into their chores

3

: to pass or cross by wading

wade a stream