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Wanderlust Has German Roots
"For my part," writes Robert Louis Stevenson in Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, "I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move..." Sounds like a case of wanderlust if we ever heard one. Those with wanderlust don't necessarily need to go anywhere in particular; they just don't care to stay in one spot. The etymology of wanderlust is a very simple one that you can probably figure out yourself. Wanderlust is a lust for wandering. The word comes from German, in which wandern means "to wander, hike, or stray" and Lust means "pleasure" or "desire."
Examples of wanderlust in a Sentence
Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025
Fouts, Charlie Joiner (Hall of Fame receiver), Kellen Winslow (Hall of Fame tight end/game changer), Chandler (there are receivers in the Hall who couldn’t touch him), John Jefferson (who could have made the Hall if not for wanderlust), and Chuck Muncie and James Brooks were great backs.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
Known for its uplifting and energizing effects, Durban Poison helps Sagittarius tap into their wanderlust while staying mentally sharp and focused.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 9 June 2025
Follow Raven for continued coverage of world travel, vegan restaurants, luxury hotels, Disney vacations, and gift ideas for those with wanderlust.
—Robin Raven, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wanderlust
Cite this Entry
“Wanderlust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wanderlust. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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wanderlust
noun
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