gadabout

noun

gad·about | \ ˈga-də-ˌbau̇t

How to pronounce gadabout (audio)

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Definition of gadabout

: a person who flits about in social activity

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Did You Know?

If you had to pick the insect most closely related to a gadabout, you might wryly guess the "social butterfly." But there's another bug that's commonly heard buzzing around discussions of gadabout-the gadfly. Gadfly is a term used for any of a number of winged pests (such as horseflies) that bite or annoy livestock. Since gadflies are known for their nasty bite, it's not surprising that they are named after a sharp chisel or pointed bar used by miners to loosen rock and ore called a gad. But, although a gadabout's gossip can bite, gadfly doesn’t have any clear etymological relation to gadabout, which traces back to the Middle English verb gadden, meaning "to wander without a specific aim or purpose."

Examples of gadabout in a Sentence

she was a thoughtful gadabout, always picking up souvenirs for her friends from wherever her travels took her

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Time Traveler for gadabout

The first known use of gadabout was in 1757

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More Definitions for gadabout

gadabout

noun

English Language Learners Definition of gadabout

sometimes disapproving : a person who goes to many places and social events for pleasure

See the full definition for gadabout in the English Language Learners Dictionary

gadabout

noun

gad·about | \ ˈga-də-ˌbau̇t

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Kids Definition of gadabout

: a person who goes to many different places for enjoyment

WORD OF THE DAY

reverberate

to reflect, repel, echo, or resound

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