The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

wallow

IPA:

Dictionary definition of wallow

To indulge in a comfortable and lazy manner, often to an excessive degree.
"He tends to wallow in self-pity whenever things don't go his way."

Detailed meaning of wallow

It can also refer to rolling around in something, typically mud or water. For example, a pig might wallow in mud to cool off or to relieve itching. In a more abstract sense, someone might wallow in self-pity, meaning they are dwelling on their negative feelings and not taking any action to improve their situation. The word often implies a lack of discipline or control, as the person is indulging their impulses without concern for consequences.

Example sentences containing wallow

1. After a tiring week, she decided to wallow in a bubble bath for hours.
2. Don't wallow in self-pity; take action to improve your situation.
3. Some people tend to wallow in negativity, which can be harmful.
4. He would wallow in nostalgia while flipping through old photo albums.
5. Instead of wallowing in despair, he sought therapy to cope with his loss.
6. It's easy to wallow in procrastination, but productivity brings satisfaction.

History and etymology of wallow

The verb 'wallow' has its origins in the Old English word 'wealwian,' which means 'to roll' or 'to toss about.' In its earliest use, 'wallow' was associated with the rolling or tossing movements of animals, especially those in mud or water. Over time, the term evolved to include the idea of indulging in a comfortable and lazy manner, often to an excessive degree, much like an animal rolling contentedly in mud or water. In this sense, 'wallow' describes the act of immersing oneself in a state of self-indulgence and idleness. The etymology of 'wallow' underscores its historical connection to the physical actions of rolling and tossing, which later came to symbolize indulgence and excessive relaxation.

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Further usage examples of wallow

1. She preferred to wallow in the comfort of her cozy blanket on lazy Sundays.
2. He chose to wallow in luxury during his vacation at the beach resort.
3. The cat would wallow in the sunshine, purring contentedly.
4. It's not healthy to wallow in guilt; learn from mistakes and move forward.
5. Some people wallow in clutter, while others prefer minimalism.
6. The musician would often wallow in melancholic tunes on rainy days.
7. After a long day at work, I just want to wallow in my bed.
8. The hippo found a shallow pool to wallow in and cool off.
9. She would wallow in her misery after a breakup, refusing to leave her room.
10. The elephant sprayed water on its back and proceeded to wallow in the river.
11. Sometimes, it feels good to wallow in nostalgia and reminisce about the past.
12. The athlete would wallow in defeat for a short while before getting back to training.
13. The wounded animal would find a soft patch of grass to wallow in and nurse its injuries.
14. The hot weather made the hiker desperate to find a stream to wallow in.
15. It's important not to wallow in negativity and instead focus on finding solutions.
16. The artist would wallow in creativity, spending hours lost in the process of creation.
17. After a breakup, she would wallow in sad songs and romantic movies for days.
18. The buffalo would wallow in the dust to protect its skin from insects.
19. He would wallow in luxury, spending his money on expensive cars and lavish vacations.
20. The depression made it difficult for him to do anything but wallow in despair.
21. The dog would find a patch of grass and wallow in it, rubbing its back against the ground.
22. She would wallow in guilt, constantly blaming herself for past mistakes.
23. The piglet attempted to wallow in the mud but ended up falling on its side.
24. The spa offered a mud bath where customers could wallow in the therapeutic mud.