boiter
limp
C’est marcher de façon irrégulière parce qu’on a mal à une jambe ou à un pied.
Definition & meaning
Boiter means to limp or to walk unevenly, usually because of an injury, pain, or a physical difficulty.
Figuratively, it can mean to be flawed, inconsistent, or not working properly. For example, an argument may “limp” if its reasoning is weak, or a system may be said to limp along if it operates poorly.
Grammar & Word origin
Boiter is a regular first-group verb ending in -er. It is generally intransitive and uses avoir in compound tenses: il a boité (“he limped”).
The verb has the stem boit- and the infinitive ending -er. It is recorded in Old French; its deeper etymological origin is uncertain.
Synonyms & antonyms
- boitiller — to limp slightly or with short, uneven steps; often suggests a more tentative or pronounced uneven gait.
- clopiner — to limp, often in a colloquial or expressive way.
- être bancal — figuratively, to be shaky or poorly constructed; it describes a flawed idea or arrangement rather than the act of walking.
There is no single exact antonym. Depending on the meaning:
- marcher normalement — to walk normally, the opposite of limping.
- fonctionner correctement — to work properly, the opposite of functioning poorly.
- être cohérent — to be coherent, the opposite of having flawed or inconsistent reasoning.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “boiter” part of your vocabulary.
Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Elle commence à boiter après la chute.verb
She starts to limp after the fall.
Keep exploring French
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad