adventurer

noun

ad·​ven·​tur·​er əd-ˈven-ch(ə-)rər How to pronounce adventurer (audio)
Synonyms of adventurernext
1
: someone who seeks dangerous or exciting experiences : a person who looks for adventures: such as
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Just like a certain adventurer with some mean, mean pride, Rush are currently embarking on their fiftieth anniversary tour, a prog-rock pilgrimage that will take them around the world and back for the next year. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adventurer

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of adventurer was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Adventurer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adventurer. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

adventurer

noun
ad·​ven·​tur·​er əd-ˈvench-(ə-)rər How to pronounce adventurer (audio)
1
: a person who looks for adventures
2
: a person who tries to become wealthy or powerful by trickery

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