wander

wan·der

verb \ˈwän-dər\

wan·deredwan·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of WANDER

intransitive verb

1

a : to move about without a fixed course, aim, or goal

b : to go idly about : ramble <wandering around the house>

2

: to follow a winding course : meander

3

a : to go astray (as from a course) : stray <wandered away from the group>

b : to go astray morally : err

c : to lose normal mental contact : stray in thought <his mind wandered>

transitive verb

: to roam over <wandered the halls>

— wander noun

— wan·der·er \-dər-ər\ noun

Examples of WANDER

1. I was just wandering around the house.
2. They wandered down the street.
3. Students were wandering the halls.
4. He wandered away from the trail and got lost.

Origin of WANDER

Middle English wandren, from Old English wandrian; akin to Middle High German wandern to wander, Old English windan to wind, twist

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WANDER

Synonyms

bat, cruise, drift, float, gad (about), gallivant (also galavant), kick around, knock (about), maunder, meander, mooch, ramble, range, roam, rove, traipse

Related Words

amble, saunter, stroll; dawdle, mope; gypsy, hobo, tramp, vagabond; mill (about or around); straggle, stray

Near Antonyms

forgive, justify, pardon; regret, repent, rue

Synonym Discussion of WANDER

wander, roam, ramble, rove, traipse, meander mean to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose. wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course <fond of wandering about the square just watching the people>. roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield <liked to roam through the woods>. ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective <the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point>. rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming <armed brigands roved over the countryside>. traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful <traipsed all over town looking for the right dress>. meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering <the river meanders for miles through rich farmland>.

Rhymes with WANDER

bonder, condor, ponder, squander, yonder