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

This land is inhabited by the Nenets people, nomadic reindeer herders who, guided by the seasonal cycles and the needs of their animals, migrate incessantly in an infinite circle of movements between ice, frozen rivers and incessant winds in search of new pastures in the most remote tundra. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

Litton stayed at two different inns in Chico over eight days, reflecting his nomadic lifestyle, deputies said. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025

Historically nomadic herders, many Bedouins now reside in a constellation of cities and hamlets throughout southern Israel, some of which lack basic government services like running water and electricity. —Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

The traditionally nomadic community is particularly impoverished in Israel and has suffered from neglect and marginalization. —Tia Goldenberg and Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 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