adventurer

noun

ad·​ven·​tur·​er əd-ˈven-ch(ə-)rər 

1

: someone who seeks dangerous or exciting experiences : a person who looks for adventures: such as

a

: soldier of fortune

b

: one who engages in risky commercial enterprises for profit

2

somewhat old-fashioned : one who seeks unmerited wealth or position especially by playing on the credulity or prejudice of others

Examples of adventurer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along for the ride will be fellow adventurers Eric Philips of Australia, Jannicke Mikkelsen of Norway and Rabea Rogge of Germany. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026

This smartwatch is for the off-grid athletes and adventurers, like many users who often gravitate toward Garmin wearables. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026

For outdoor adventurers, nearby Myakka River State Park delivers with a canopy walkway through pineland, prairie, and wetlands. — Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 23 June 2026

Unlike, say, Big Sur, there’s no long and meandering coastal highway on the Lost Coast—the terrain is too wild for anyone to bother trying to tame it with asphalt—so adventurers tackle the coastline by trail, often taking three to four days to hike and camp along its length. — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

adventure entry 1 or adventure entry 2 + -er entry 2, probably after Middle French aventurier, adventurier

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for adventurer

• venturer

Kids Definition

adventurer

noun

ad·​ven·​tur·​er əd-ˈvench-(ə-)rər 

1

: a person who looks for adventures

2

: a person who tries to become wealthy or powerful by trickery