wandering

1 of 2

adjective

wan·​der·​ing ˈwän-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce wandering (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The film is narrated in the languages of the cultures the characters move through, as Burmese gives way to Thai, to Vietnamese, and beyond — a wandering, collective dream. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024 Take in all of Bernardo’s wandering wonder, then listen to what makes your traveling heart beat stronger. Laura Manske, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Noun
Always down for a cocktail, a show or spontaneous wandering. Allie Volpe, Vox, 14 Nov. 2024 Wide-open concourses with views of the court encourage wandering. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wandering 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wandering was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wandering

Cite this Entry

“Wandering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wandering. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

wandering

1 of 2 adjective
wan·​der·​ing ˈwän-də-riŋ How to pronounce wandering (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on wandering

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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