wandering

1 of 2

adjective

wan·​der·​ing ˈwän-d(ə-)riŋ 

: characterized by aimless, slow, or pointless movement: such as

a

: that winds or meanders

a wandering course

b

: not keeping a rational or sensible course : vagrant

c

: nomadic

wandering tribes

d

of a plant : having long runners or tendrils

wandering

2 of 2

noun

1

: a going about from place to place

—often used in plural

2

: movement away from the proper, normal, or usual course or place

—often used in plural

Synonyms of wandering

Adjective

• rambling

Examples of wandering in a Sentence

Adjective

your decidedly wandering essay loses its punch—stick to one theme

a wandering carnival that visited small towns all over the South

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Capturing the story of a wandering hedge knight in Dunk, or a warrior without land or wealth, and his squire, a young boy, will steer Game of Thrones fans away from the medieval world of chivalrous knights protecting the weak and the innocent to a more realistic portrayal of knighthood. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Jan. 2026

As such, its mass of untamed, scrubby green can today be traipsed through on foot or horseback, via ethereal blue coves such as Cala Marinella, the odd wandering fox and to the soothing rhythm of Aleppo pines rustling in the hot wind. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

Noun

In Austin’s third collection, readers can expect his trademark gorgeously crystalline lyrics interspersed with more conversational wanderings, capturing new stages of life. —Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026

The arrival of a wolf known as OR-7 from Oregon in 2011 was cause for celebration among conservationists, and the animals became near-celebrities, with trail cameras capturing their wanderings and media reports that detailed the formation of new packs and the birth of pups. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wandering

• wandering albatross
• wandering dude
• wandering eye

Rhymes for wandering

• laundering
• pondering
• squandering

Medical Definition

wandering

1 of 2 adjective

wan·​der·​ing ˈwän-də-riŋ 

: floating

a wandering spleen

wandering

2 of 2 noun

: movement of a tooth out of its normal position especially as a result of periodontal disease