rambling
adjective
ram·bling
ˈram-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
: proceeding without a specific goal, purpose, or direction: such as
a
: wandering about from one place to another
a rambling walk
b
: straying from subject to subject
a rambling essay/discussion/discourse
a rambling talker
His text is at times repetitious and rambling.—
Robert Howard
Robert Howard
c
: stretching, spreading, or growing in a winding or irregular way
a rambling stream
rambling roses
2
: large and informally designed
a rambling farmhouse
… blue-tinged shots give the sinister prison … the air of a rambling edifice out of Dickens.—Celia Wren
Celia Wren
ramblingly
adverb
a ramblingly told story
Examples of rambling in a Sentence
I listened patiently to Mrs. Parsifal's rambling reminiscences, though I had no idea who "Dorothy" and "the stepson" were
the new minister gives rambling sermons that, if they have a point, are lost on the congregation, which invariably falls asleep
Recent Examples on the Web
The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The writing can be rambling, unedited, and niche, or sharp, pristine, and relatable.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
In 2011, the actress had to be escorted offstage after slurring her words and rambling during a speech at an event honoring former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
As of now, game day parking reservations are available throughout the day at Muir Woods, offering an opportunity for quiet rambling among ancient redwoods.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Routh then read from a rambling, 20-page statement.
—David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Also in the village, with lower prices, the June Lake Villager Motel is a rambling property beneath a vintage mid-century sign.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Her editor figured that Bainbridge could get away with a rambling, nostalgic performance.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
There's a ski lift a few minutes' walk from the hotel and a raft of rambling trails.
—Grainne McBride, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
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Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
The writing can be rambling, unedited, and niche, or sharp, pristine, and relatable.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2026
In 2011, the actress had to be escorted offstage after slurring her words and rambling during a speech at an event honoring former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
As of now, game day parking reservations are available throughout the day at Muir Woods, offering an opportunity for quiet rambling among ancient redwoods.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Routh then read from a rambling, 20-page statement.
—David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Also in the village, with lower prices, the June Lake Villager Motel is a rambling property beneath a vintage mid-century sign.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Her editor figured that Bainbridge could get away with a rambling, nostalgic performance.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
There's a ski lift a few minutes' walk from the hotel and a raft of rambling trails.
—Grainne McBride, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rambling. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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