verb

wallow

WO-loh

verb

To roll around in mud, water, or something similarly messy.

"The pigs wallowed happily in the mud."

To indulge excessively in an emotion or situation, especially self-pity.

"He spent the weekend wallowing in self-pity after the breakup."

noun

A muddy pool where animals go to wallow.

"Elephants gathered at the wallow to cool off."

How to Use Wallow

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo roll around in mud, or to dwell too long in a negative feeling.

Common mistake

Usually carries a negative or self-indulgent tone when used about emotions — "wallowing in grief" implies staying stuck rather than moving through it.

Common pairings

wallow in self-pity wallow in mud wallow in misery

Word Forms

more wallow comparative, wallowed past tense, wallowed past tense, wallows plural, wallows singular, wallows singular, most wallow superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “wallow” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The pigs _____ happily in the mud.

Etymology

From Old English wealwian, meaning "to roll," related to Latin volvere, also meaning "to roll" (as in "revolve").

Rhymes for wallow

allow hallow fallow swallow shallow marshmallow

See all rhymes for wallow →