wandering

1 of 2

adjective

wan·​der·​ing ˈwän-d(ə-)riŋ 

: characterized by aimless, slow, or pointless movement: such as

a

: that winds or meanders

a wandering course

b

: not keeping a rational or sensible course : vagrant

c

: nomadic

wandering tribes

d

of a plant : having long runners or tendrils

wandering

2 of 2

noun

1

: a going about from place to place

—often used in plural

2

: movement away from the proper, normal, or usual course or place

—often used in plural

Synonyms

Adjective

• rambling

Examples of wandering in a Sentence

Adjective

your decidedly wandering essay loses its punch—stick to one theme

a wandering carnival that visited small towns all over the South

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In today’s opinions newsletter: Keeping the A/C on, the Cardinals’ playoff prospects and lessons from a wandering wolf. —Joanna Allhands, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025

However, Loeb and his colleagues have continued to advocate its potential alien origin and have proposed missions to track down the wandering space rock. —Harry Baker, Space.com, 29 July 2025

Noun

Her new five episodes fly farther afield, touching down in Taiwan, where Chang focuses solely on that island nation’s culinary wonders and wanderings. —Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Resembling a modern college basketball program is, at least, a first step toward ending this decades-long wandering. —Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wandering

• wandering albatross
• wandering dude
• wandering eye

Rhymes for wandering

• laundering
• pondering
• squandering

Medical Definition

wandering

1 of 2 adjective

wan·​der·​ing ˈwän-də-riŋ 

: floating

a wandering spleen

wandering

2 of 2 noun

: movement of a tooth out of its normal position especially as a result of periodontal disease