roam

wander, roam, ramble, rove, traipse, meander mean to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose. wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

• • fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

• • liked to roam through the woods

ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

• • the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

• • armed brigands roved over the countryside

traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

• • traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

• • the river meanders for miles through rich farmland