gad (about) 1 of 3

verb

Definition of gad (about)next
as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly he gads about town every Saturday, flirting and gossiping with various shopkeepers and locals

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gadabout

2 of 3

noun

ˈga-də-ˌbau̇t How to pronounce gadabout (audio)
as in nomad
a person who roams about without a fixed route or destination she was a thoughtful gadabout, always picking up souvenirs for her friends from wherever her travels took her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gadabout

3 of 3

adjective

as in peripatetic

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gad (about)
Noun
The wild career of David Johansen — New York Dolls frontman, punk gadabout, occasional actor, and Buster Poindexter portrayer — will be the focus of an upcoming documentary co-directed by Martin Scorsese. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023 For those of us who won’t be joining in the sybaritic excursion, Matches is bringing the Riviera gadabout vibes to all with capsule collections of women’s, men’s and home products curated by Sciò and Rabensteiner. — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 5 May 2022 But a linesman stepped in and prevented the gadabout angler from bringing in the catch. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Nov. 2021 Writer, comedian, and social gadabout Lucas Murphy sits down with friends and contemporaries to solve the New York Times crossword puzzle. — Savannah Eadens, The Courier-Journal, 20 Apr. 2020 So, a solar charging system fits perfectly with your gadabout persona. — The Editors, Field & Stream, 10 Apr. 2020 Simon is so reserved that even his live-in girlfriend (an egregiously underused Olivia Thirlby) has given up on him; Trevor is a kooky gadabout who’d be right at home trading druggy celebrity anecdotes with Oliver Putnam. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gad (about)
  1. roam
  2. nomad
  3. peripatetic
  4. wander
  5. wanderer
  6. ambulatory
  7. drift
  8. traveler
Verb
  • The pack of dogs had been roaming onto an oil field in Oxnard, traipsing onto private property and walking perilously close to vehicular traffic.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Biologists know the lands on which panthers prefer to roam, and there’s been proven success when that land is conserved and connected.
    — Max Chesnes, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of roam
Noun
  • View gallery - 7 images With its XL dimensions and lack of wheels to tow it, this cottage-like tiny house isn't the best fit for would-be nomads.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The region’s majority Ngok Dinka population favors joining South Sudan, while Misseriya nomads who use its pastures favor Sudan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of nomad
Adjective
  • Obialo has lived a peripatetic life, from growing up in Nigeria, being unhoused at one point, to moving to the suburbs and becoming hyperliterate in niche genres via internet forums.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Three-times married, his was to be a literary career pock-marked by substance abuse issues leading to a peripatetic existence drifting from one august institution to another.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of peripatetic
Verb
  • Its presence adds another reason to wander in, whether a visitor arrives with a collector’s eye or simple curiosity.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • During a quick shift, skaters have far less time for their minds to wander.
    — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wander
Noun
  • Connecting with this odd population of wanderers is one of the surprise pleasures of our annual Bishop trip.
    — Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026
  • My eight women are divided into wanderers, rebels, explorers, and mentors.
    — Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of wanderer
Adjective
  • Finally, the impact of high oil prices on its Global Medical Products and Distribution segment — which delivers medical, surgical, and laboratory products to hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers — is worth monitoring.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
  • If an out-of-network provider treats you during a visit to an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center.
    — Lindsey Murtagh, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ambulatory
Verb
  • The companies running their most important workloads on a single-vendor stack are running them on last Tuesday’s model, hoping the price does not move and the capability does not drift.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Most of those are in the Atlanta suburbs — territory that has drifted decisively toward Democrats over the last decade.
    — David Wickert, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of drift
Noun
  • Avianca recommends travelers complete the statement in advance.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • PwC noted in a recent report that as many as one third of holiday travelers plan to forgo air travel altogether this year.
    — , CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of traveler

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Cite this Entry

“Gad (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gad%20%28about%29. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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