nomadic

adjective

no·​mad·​ic nō-ˈma-dik 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of nomads

a nomadic tribe

nomadic herders

2

: roaming about from place to place aimlessly, frequently, or without a fixed pattern of movement

a nomadic hobo

Synonyms

• nomad

Examples of nomadic in a Sentence

raised in a nomadic family, she attended half a dozen different high schools

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the start of last season, when building work began, the U21s and U18s have led a nomadic life, having been relocated to the academy building across the walkway, which has 10 player dressing rooms but is fitted for younger age-groups up to 16. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Designers crafted their own rich narratives for the season—nomadic spirit, modern prep, maximalism for minimalists, to name a few—and what tied them all together was the embrace of unique and intentional styling. —Minty Mellon, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025

On the Kazakh steppe, centuries of nomadic tradition shaped a culture rooted in hospitality and community. —Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025

My Life on the Road and wanted to ask about her experience growing up with a nomadic family that rarely put her in in-person school. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek nomadikós "of a shepherd or herdsman, pastoral," from nomad-, nomás "wanderer, shepherd, nomad" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nomadic

• dyadic
• faradic
• monadic
• sporadic
• triadic
• haddock
• paddock