nomad

noun

no·​mad ˈnō-ˌmad 

1

: a member of a people who have no fixed residence but move from place to place usually seasonally and within a well-defined territory

For centuries nomads have shepherded goats, sheep, and cattle across the … semiarid grasslands …

—Discovery

2

: an individual who roams about

He lived like a nomad for a few years after college, never holding a job in one place for very long.

nomad adjective

nomadism

ˈnō-ˌma-ˌdi-zəm 

noun

Synonyms

• drifter
• gadabout
• gypsy
• knockabout
• maunderer
• rambler
• roamer
• rover
• stroller
• vagabond
• wanderer
• wayfarer

Examples of nomad in a Sentence

He lived like a nomad for a few years after college, never holding a job in one place for very long.

after college she became quite the nomad, backpacking through Europe with no particular destination

Recent Examples on the Web

This ease of mobility is crucial for nomads, for whom the ability to relocate on a whim is part of the appeal of their lifestyle. —William Mullane, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024

While maintaining the atmosphere of the nomads' tents, the visitors' version across the country has reached a level of glamping luxury that is surprising in such remote regions. —Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024

Soon, Pete and Navarro are heading out to the nomads’ village at stupid o’clock, which is the only time in Ennis these days. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2024

The group’s founding members are Berber nomads who met more than 40 years ago at a refugee camp in Algeria. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin Nomades (singular Nomas), name given to various pastoral peoples, as in northern Africa or Scythia, borrowed from Greek nomádes "pastoral people who move from place to place seasonally," plural of nomad-, nomás "wanderer, shepherd," as adjective, "wandering, roaming," from nomḗ "pasturing of animals, pasture, herd" or nomós "pasture, feeding ground" (both o-ablaut derivatives of némein "to graze, pasture [animals]) + -ad-, -as, noun and adjective suffix denoting descent from or connection with — more at nimble

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nomad

• digital nomad

Kids Definition

nomad

noun

no·​mad ˈnō-ˌmad 

1

: a member of a people that has no fixed home but wanders from place to place

2

: an individual who roams about without a goal or purpose

nomad adjective

or nomadic

nō-ˈmad-ik

nomadism

ˈnō-ˌmad-ˌiz-əm 

noun