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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

nomad

NOH-mad

Nomad (noun) means someone who has no permanent home and moves from place to place, especially herding animals between pastures. Example: “The nomads packed up their tents and moved on with the changing seasons.”

noun
1
Someone who has no permanent home and moves from place to place, especially herding animals between pastures.
"The nomads packed up their tents and moved on with the changing seasons."
2
Anyone who wanders or relocates frequently rather than settling in one place.
"As a freelance writer, she lives like a digital nomad, working from a different city each month."

How to use nomad

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person who doesn't stay in one place, traditionally a herder, now often used for anyone with a mobile lifestyle.

Common pairings
digital nomad nomadic tribe a nomad lifestyle

Word forms

more nomad comparative, nomads plural, most nomad superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ packed up their tents and moved on with the changing seasons.

Etymology

From Greek nomas, "wandering shepherd," rooted in nomos, "pasture" — the idea of moving around in search of grazing land.

Origin: Greek

Frequently asked questions

What does “nomad” mean?

The word “nomad” means someone who has no permanent home and moves from place to place, especially herding animals between pastures. In plain terms, a person who doesn't stay in one place, traditionally a herder, now often used for anyone with a mobile lifestyle.

How do you pronounce “nomad”?

“Nomad” is pronounced NOH-mad (/ˈnoʊmæd/ in IPA).

How do you use “nomad” in a sentence?

Here is “nomad” used in a sentence: “The nomads packed up their tents and moved on with the changing seasons.”

What part of speech is “nomad”?

“Nomad” is a noun.

Where does the word “nomad” come from?

The word “nomad” comes from Greek. From Greek nomas, "wandering shepherd," rooted in nomos, "pasture" — the idea of moving around in search of grazing land.

How many meanings does “nomad” have?

“Nomad” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who has no permanent home and moves from place to place, especially herding animals between pastures.

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