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verb

rove

rohv

Rove (verb) means to wander about without a fixed destination. Example: “They roved the countryside for weeks with no particular plan.”

verb
1
To wander about without a fixed destination.
"They roved the countryside for weeks with no particular plan."
"Her eyes roved across the crowded room."

How to use rove

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo roam or wander freely, often used for eyes, thoughts, or travelers.

Common pairings
rove around roving eye rove the streets

Word forms

roved past tense, roves plural, roves singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They _____ the countryside for weeks with no particular plan.

Etymology

Probably from a Middle English word related to Old Norse ráfa ("to wander").

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for rove

See all rhymes for rove →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rove” mean?

The word “rove” means to wander about without a fixed destination. In plain terms, to roam or wander freely, often used for eyes, thoughts, or travelers.

How do you pronounce “rove”?

“Rove” is pronounced rohv (/ɹoʊv/ in IPA).

How do you use “rove” in a sentence?

Here is “rove” used in a sentence: “They roved the countryside for weeks with no particular plan.”

What part of speech is “rove”?

“Rove” is a verb.

Where does the word “rove” come from?

The word “rove” comes from Middle English. Probably from a Middle English word related to Old Norse ráfa ("to wander").

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial