ramble

1 of 2

verb

ram·ble ˈram-bəl

rambled; rambling ˈram-b(ə-)liŋ

Synonyms of ramble next

intransitive verb

: to move aimlessly from place to place

rambled through the little town

: to explore idly

After one rambles through the maps for a time … some overall impressions begin to emerge.—

John Noble Wilford

: to talk or write in an aimless, erratic, and often long-winded fashion

The hunk starts to ramble on and on, and the women seem quite annoyed.—

Monk Magazine

: to be related or written in a long-winded or wandering fashion

a story that rambles

: to grow or extend irregularly

To me, pea greens are the culinary equivalent of morning glories, sprouting overnight, rambling here and there, turning the grower into a shepherd, at least for the duration.—

Molly O'Neill

transitive verb

: to wander over : roam

ramble

2 of 2

noun

: a leisurely excursion for pleasure

especially : an aimless walk

: a rambling story or discussion

Choose the Right Synonym for ramble

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

Example Sentences

Verb She rambled for several minutes before introducing the main speaker. He's funny, but he tends to ramble. Noun We went for a ramble along the beach. He encountered many interesting people in his rambles in the country. The first chapter is a 100-page ramble. We had to listen to another one of his long rambles about politics and religion. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In a rambling audio file released Monday, Prigozhin didn’t comment directly on the documents. —

Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 15 May 2023 The last post on what appears to be the shooter’s account — posted the day of the massacre — is a rambling message that, among other things, describes a wish to be cremated. —

Michael Williams, Dallas News, 8 May 2023 The foliage of tomato plants supported by stakes or trellises dries much faster than plants allowed to ramble over the ground. —

Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2023 Pay close attention while the host rambles on about remodelling the guest room and her new Tempur-Pedic mattress. —

Emily Menez, The New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2023 Still, this isn’t a slow, daydreamy ramble through remote regions. —

Lilit Marcus, CNN, 30 Mar. 2023 Thanks to everyone who’s followed along with these rambling, self-indulgent reports. —

Connor Ratliff, SPIN, 23 Feb. 2023 An exact diagnosis of George III has never been determined, although there has been plenty of speculation over the years as to the cause of his erratic behavior, which was characterized by episodes of agitation, rambling, and hypersexuality. —

Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 14 May 2023 Special for The Arizona Republic Long summer days are the perfect time to ramble around this remarkable state looking for fun. —

Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 12 May 2023

Noun

Jamie Lorriman/Pool Photo via AP Prince William has poured a pint of ale and taken a ride on the subway with his wife Kate as part of a royal ramble in central London before King Charles III’s coronation. —

Sylvia Hui, Fortune, 4 May 2023 Settled by Italian immigrants who brought their vinicultural chops to the rolling fields of the Serra Gaúcha region, southern Brazil's Valley of the Vineyards is a ramble of vines and greenery that feels a world away from the deserts and jungles to the north. —

Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2022 On the 90-minute forest ramble, Squamish and Shíshálh cultural ambassadors share knowledge passed down through the generations to help visitors understand how First Nations people across southern British Columbia use the land for food, medicine, and technology. —

Melissa Findley, National Geographic, 20 Nov. 2020 There are dolmens hidden out here in the jagged ramble and sobbing wind, ancient monoliths built by pre-historic farmers. —

Josh Condon, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2023 Adventurous styling makes a ramble in the Pyrenees into an expedition through avant-garde pieces that go from runway to rugged. —

WSJ, 3 Dec. 2022 The film is a piercing, rollicking and altogether marvelous ramble through the filmmaker’s early years, writes film critic Justin Chang. —

Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2022 Judd Apatow, at least, is a man who knows a self-aware ramble. —

Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2022 Instead of a straight shot out and back across the country, maybe this is the year for a circular ramble in a state with less expensive gas. —

Forrest Brown, CNN, 24 Mar. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ramble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.