wandering

1 of 2

adjective

wan·​der·​ing ˈwän-d(ə-)riŋ 

: characterized by aimless, slow, or pointless movement: such as

a

: that winds or meanders

a wandering course

b

: not keeping a rational or sensible course : vagrant

c

: nomadic

wandering tribes

d

of a plant : having long runners or tendrils

wandering

2 of 2

noun

1

: a going about from place to place

—often used in plural

2

: movement away from the proper, normal, or usual course or place

—often used in plural

Synonyms

Adjective

• desultory
• digressional
• digressionary
• digressive
• discursive
• excursive
• leaping
• maundering
• meandering
• rambling

Examples of wandering in a Sentence

Adjective

your decidedly wandering essay loses its punch—stick to one theme

a wandering carnival that visited small towns all over the South

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The wandering pack needs more females for their new society and there are two females and two males inside the small cage. —Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

The old man who, with his grandson, kept that wandering tradition alive that left many of the Aiel ready to abandon the path laid out for them. —Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025

Noun

All have different requirements, with the main goal of providing employee training across hotels, restaurants, and attractions to increase understanding of the spectrum of autism, what to do when someone has a sensory meltdown, and safety awareness for wandering or elopement. —Melinda Fulmer, AFAR Media, 17 Apr. 2025

The Kennedy Model is currently up for sale for US$80,000, and is obviously designed for static living rather than mobile wandering. —Adam Williams, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wandering

• wandering albatross
• wandering dude
• wandering eye

Rhymes for wandering

• laundering
• pondering
• squandering

Medical Definition

wandering

1 of 2 adjective

wan·​der·​ing ˈwän-də-riŋ 

: floating

a wandering spleen

wandering

2 of 2 noun

: movement of a tooth out of its normal position especially as a result of periodontal disease