Wanderlust Has German Roots

"For my part," writes Robert Louis Stevenson in Travels with a Donkey, "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 hike or roam about," and Lust means "pleasure or delight."

Examples of wanderlust in a Sentence

Wanderlust has led him to many different parts of the world.

Recent Examples on the Web Here are a handful of road trip and vacation ideas in Kentucky that won't break the bank but will still satisfy a bit of your summer wanderlust. — Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 23 June 2022 Casually elegant getaway pieces, wanderlust-inducing accessories, and standout swimwear offer a sense of curated R&R for a mood-boosting retreat. — Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 7 June 2022 Following his Fayetteville studies there was still a wide world out there his wanderlust hungered to experience. — Dwain Hebda, Arkansas Online, 5 June 2022 Driven by our pent-up wanderlust, The Times set out to find the most delightful, fascinating and awe-inspiring things to do right here in the Golden State. — Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2022 For some Help Desk readers, dealing with this pent-up wanderlust has some wondering what they’re supposed to do with their phones when traveling overseas. — Washington Post, 6 May 2022 For the fashion-conscious, Madewell also offers a Packable Braided Straw Hat that would fit nicely on your favorite wanderlust Instagram feed. — Rena Behar, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2022 These people might be world travelers or adventure seekers, imbued with dynamism, wanderlust, and energy. — Alesandra Dubin, Woman's Day, 15 July 2022 This coffee table book highlights all of the possibilities, giving him the perfect dose of wanderlust. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 16 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wanderlust.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.