meander

1 of 2

noun

me·​an·​der mē-ˈan-dər 

1

: a winding path or course

the new path, which he supposed only to make a few meanders

—Samuel Johnson

especially : labyrinth

2

: a turn or winding of a stream

The meander eventually became isolated from the main stream.

meandrous

mē-ˈan-drəs 

adjective

meander

2 of 2

verb

meandered; meandering mē-ˈan-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to follow a winding or intricate course

across the ceiling meandered a long crack

—John Galsworthy

2

: to wander aimlessly or casually without urgent destination : ramble

he meandered with the sightseers gawping at the boat people

—John le Carré

Did you know?

Meander comes from Greek Maiandros, an old name for a winding river in Asia Minor that is now known as the Menderes. Despite this origin, the word is more commonly used to refer to a person's wandering course than a river's.

Synonyms

Verb

• bat
• cruise
• drift
• float
• gad (about)
• gallivant
• galavant
• kick around
• knock (about)
• maunder
• mooch
• ramble
• range
• roam
• rove
• traipse
• wander

Choose the Right Synonym for meander

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

Examples of meander in a Sentence

Verb

The path meanders through the garden.

We meandered around the village.

The conversation meandered on for hours.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Getty The best things to do in Lake Annecy There are more than enough opportunities to laze about with coffee and pain au chocolat, meander through Old Town Annecy’s labyrinth streets (especially during its spectacular Christmas Market season), or unwind at several spas. —Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Dec. 2024

The town’s waterside walking and biking path – the Clipper City Rail Trail – is worth a meander – and will lead you to different shopping spots, as well as some historic signage that familiarizes you with the area. —Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 10 Nov. 2024

Verb

Our conversation, which has been edited and condensed, started with Darwin, before meandering through such subjects as nuns, Rome in the sixties, Andy Warhol, Madonna, and plastic surgery. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024

Hand Free Cruise also worked on 138, a lesser two-lane highway that meanders through the desert. —Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Latin maeander, from Greek maiandros, from Maiandros (now Menderes), river in Asia Minor

First Known Use

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

meander

1 of 2 noun

me·​an·​der mē-ˈan-dər 

1

: a turn or winding of a stream

2

: a winding path or course

meander

2 of 2 verb

meandered; meandering

-d(ə-)riŋ

1

: to follow a winding or complicated course

2

: to wander without a goal or purpose