wander

verb

wan·​der ˈwän-dər 

wandered; wandering ˈwän-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move about without a fixed course, aim, or goal

b

: to go idly about : ramble

wandering around the house

2

: to follow a winding course : meander

3

a

: to go astray (as from a course) : stray

wandered away from the group

b

: to go astray morally : err

c

: to lose normal mental contact : stray in thought

his mind wandered

transitive verb

: to roam over

wandered the halls

wander noun

wanderer

ˈwän-dər-ər 

noun

Synonyms of wander

• roam
• drift
• stroll

Choose the Right Synonym for wander

wander, roam, ramble, rove, traipse, meander mean to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose.

wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

Examples of wander in a Sentence

I was just wandering around the house.

They wandered down the street.

Students were wandering the halls.

He wandered away from the trail and got lost.

Recent Examples on the Web

As Odysseus wanders from place to place, discovering the foreign customs and attitudes of each one, the story explores the concept of home, asking what kind of civilization is appropriate for an authentic human being. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Zidane wanders into a pocket of unmarked space to meet an inswinging Emmanuel Petit corner and head powerfully in at the near post to give France the lead. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Sometimes, a roach can wander in through gaps around doors, windows or through pipes. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Other excursions, such as walking tours with knowledgeable local guides and active pursuits like kayaking and snorkeling, are also available—though many guests simply wandered on their own or borrowed snorkeling gear from the ship. — Jane Wooldridge, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wandren, from Old English wandrian; akin to Middle High German wandern to wander, Old English windan to wind, twist

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing wander

• go for a wander
• have/take a wander

Rhymes for wander

• condor
• fonder
• launder
• mandir
• maunder
• ponder
• squander
• yonder
• responder
• transponder

Kids Definition

wander

verb

wan·​der ˈwän-dər 

wandered; wandering -d(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to move about without a purpose

2

: to follow a winding course : meander

3

a

: to get off the right course : stray

wandered away

b

: to lose one's normal mental concentration

her mind wandered

wander noun

wanderer

-dər-ər 

noun