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 open spaces all around us invite Angelenos to ditch the concrete grid for the wandering switchbacks. —Andrew Moseman, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025

One thing Sacco is not concerned about with Frederic is a wandering focus because of his contract situation. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2024

Noun

Cohen and colleagues have published several studies showing an increase in the polar vortex stretching or wandering. —CBS News, 4 Jan. 2025

Hiding, social comfort and fears a part of autism Like wandering and elopement, an autism diagnosis can lead to different behavioral characteristics, Weitlauf said. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 6 Mar. 2024

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

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