gambolling
Skipping with joy
Gambolling is the present participle of gambol, meaning to skip, leap, or frolic playfully.
The word suggests carefree, exuberant movement—lambs gambolling in a field, children gambolling on a playground.
It carries a lighthearted, almost literary quality: The puppies were gambolling across the lawn.
Also spelled gambaling in American English.
Lighthearted energetic movement
- rompingPlaying with energetic movement
- cavortingMoving playfully, energetically
- prancingShowy high-stepping movement
- skippingRhythmic hopping locomotion
leaping · bounding · capering · hopping · dancing · tumbling · frisking · rollicking
Inclined to merriment
jape · skylark · romp · revel · prankish · lighthearted · whimsical · jovial
frolicking
Lighthearted energetic movement
- rompingPlaying with energetic movement
- cavortingMoving playfully, energetically
- prancingShowy high-stepping movement
skipping · leaping · bounding · capering · hopping · dancing · tumbling · frisking · rollicking · bouncing
frolicsome
Inclined to merriment
antic · jape · skylark · romp · revel · prankish · lighthearted · whimsical · jovial · blithe
lighthearted
Cheerful and without worry
sprightly · insouciant · untroubled · blithe · cheerful · airy · exuberant · vivacious · mirthful · gleeful
lambs
Young of sheep
puppies · kittens · fawns · cubs · young · springtime · innocence · newborn · friskiness · playfulness
gambollingmoping
Brooding in dejection
dragging one's feet · sulking · brooding · mourning · grieving
gambollingstanding still
Absence of motion
sitting · lying down · resting · staying put · stagnating