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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gad (about)
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
Noun
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 gad (about)
Verb
-
In the Basque region of Spain, Rosenthal roams through the culinary capital of San Sebastián, devouring pintxos, impressive seafood and Txakoli wine.—
Laura Manske,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Some inmates roamed freely, refused to follow staff orders and extorted fellow prisoners.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
17 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
-
So a guineafowl moving at a slow jog of 1 km/h (0.6 mph) – roughly the pace of a wandering toddler – through Alexander's formula would be estimated as 4.7 km/h (2.9 mph).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 June 2025
-
Guests are invited to wander the gardens, join sourdough baking classes, and basically geek out on where their food comes from.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Usually, procedures at an ambulatory surgery center cost less then at the hospital.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2025
-
But earlier in the 2024-25 season, Merrill, 32, was the odd man out on the Wild blue line some nights when everyone under contract was ambulatory and available.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Many of its staff are now operating as academic nomads—working remotely and scrambling to secure office space at other locations in the city.—
Christopher Cokinos,
Scientific American,
28 May 2025
-
The core of the RSF consists of Arabic-speaking nomads, once known as the Janjaweed, who have long been in conflict with the non-Arab farmers in this part of Sudan.—
Lynsey Addario,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
From the moment Voyager 1 appears on screen, floating in silence, then drifting seemingly out of the theater screen toward the audience, the stereo work adds depth and immersion without ever becoming a gimmick.—
Scott Snowden,
Space.com,
18 June 2025
-
Smoke from both is drifting south, causing hazy skies across the borderland.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
The surrounding streets are a pleasure to stroll, particularly the wide Corso Italia, where families gather around benches under the trees and couples peruse the boutiques’ window displays.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Barkov strolled onto the rebound with the nearest Oiler completely unescorted.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
For more information on traffic conditions, travelers can: Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
19 June 2025
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This idyllic destination is small and remote, creating a sense of exclusivity that appeals to luxury homeowners and travelers.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gad (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gad%20%28about%29. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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