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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in gypsy
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
as in peripatetic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 gadabout
New York Times, 5 Aug. 2021
The giggling gadabout who dies penniless.
—Cory Oldweiler, Star Tribune, 11 Dec. 2020
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
He was inundated with offers and tried to avoid being typecast as the likable gadabout.
—BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 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
Adjective
Hardly the schedule of a social gadabout.
—New York Times, 5 Aug. 2021
The giggling gadabout who dies penniless.
—Cory Oldweiler, Star Tribune, 11 Dec. 2020
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
He was inundated with offers and tried to avoid being typecast as the likable gadabout.
—BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gadabout
Verb
-
Among the chaos is Rupert Friend, playing Martin Krebs, who's assembling a group to take to the scene of the devastation in hopes of extracting DNA from the creatures roaming the island to fund his next medical breakthrough.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
Bear numbers swelled, and by the mid-2000s, more than 600 bears roamed the Yellowstone area.—
Christine Peterson,
Vox,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
How would my peripatetic vacation plans proceed without wheels?—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Despite the daily challenges this peripatetic uprooted existence poses, Brandt’s photographs capture their dignity and pride in the strength of their family units.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Partygoers wandered the streets, drinks in hand, wearing Scrim costumes made from furry onesies.—
David W. Brown,
New Yorker,
5 July 2025
-
Read a book, breathe deeply or just let your mind wander.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, 90-day emergency department visit rates were also lower for ambulatory care patients than hospital patients—8.9 percent versus 12.7 percent.—
Newsweek Rankings,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
Usually, procedures at an ambulatory surgery center cost less then at the hospital.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
But for the connected nomad needing internet on the road or out in the backwoods, this power flexibility is a game-changer.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 May 2025
-
Entrepreneurs are building huge businesses as nomads.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2025
-
Without that connection, even high-output leaders can drift into disengagement or overwork disguised as drive.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Usher, 46, and his wife strolled around together in casual attire, while Gates, 69, and his serious girlfriend coordinated in black outfits.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
27 June 2025
-
Into this world strolls Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a rough-around-the-edges veteran driver who (literally) crashed out of Formula One several decades ago.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
If the pattern holds, travelers could soon be marking their calendars for the tiger shark aggregation on Okaloosa Island.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The nightmare comes as travelers gear up for the holiday weekend.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gadabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gadabout. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share