nomadic

adjective

no·​mad·​ic nō-ˈma-dik 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of nomads

a nomadic tribe

nomadic herders

2

: roaming about from place to place aimlessly, frequently, or without a fixed pattern of movement

a nomadic hobo

Synonyms

• ambulant
• ambulatory
• errant
• fugitive
• gallivanting
• galavanting
• itinerant
• nomad
• perambulatory
• peregrine
• peripatetic
• ranging
• roaming
• roving
• vagabond
• vagrant
• wandering
• wayfaring

Examples of nomadic in a Sentence

raised in a nomadic family, she attended half a dozen different high schools

Recent Examples on the Web

There is nothing glaringly stupid like so much of Season 2, and the idyllic Maine setting is a much better fit for our nomadic protagonist. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

In reality, few of the rebellious nomadic pastoralists native to the territory ever acquiesced to Moroccan imperial rule. —Hannah Rae Armstrong, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2025

In the vast steppes, nomadic families host travelers in traditional ger camps, offering a firsthand experience of their herding lifestyle, music and horsemanship traditions. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

This includes the mysterious, hidden world of the nomadic Fremen, which is slowly being buried. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek nomadikós "of a shepherd or herdsman, pastoral," from nomad-, nomás "wanderer, shepherd, nomad" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nomadic

• dyadic
• faradic
• monadic
• sporadic
• triadic
• haddock
• paddock