wanderlust

noun

wan·​der·​lust ˈwän-dər-ˌləst 

: strong longing for or impulse toward wandering

Did you know?

Wanderlust Has German Roots

"For my part," writes Robert Louis Stevenson in Travels with a Donkey, "I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." Sounds like a case of wanderlust if we ever heard one. Those with wanderlust don't necessarily need to go anywhere in particular; they just don't care to stay in one spot. The etymology of wanderlust is a very simple one that you can probably figure out yourself. Wanderlust is a lust for wandering. The word comes from German, in which wandern means "to hike or roam about," and Lust means "pleasure or delight."

Examples of wanderlust in a Sentence

Wanderlust has led him to many different parts of the world.

Recent Examples on the Web

The best National Park gifts tap into a special kind of wanderlust that’s fueled by the call of wild trails, towering peaks, and untouched landscapes. —Joni Sweet, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

With 15 tracks that blend fresh revelations and familiar hits, this album sees the Phoenix, Arizona, native expanding his creative wanderlust and widespread appeal. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 11 Oct. 2024

The platform provides an endless stream of montages showcasing the most dreamy places in the world, guaranteed to spark the wanderlust of all its users. —Layla Quaedvlieg, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2024

Exploring it is free for anyone with a sense of wanderlust. —Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

German, from wandern to wander + Lust desire, pleasure

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wanderlust

noun

wan·​der·​lust ˈwän-dər-ˌləst 

: strong longing to travel