wander
WON-duh
Wander (verb) means to move around without a fixed destination or purpose. Example: “They spent the afternoon wandering through the old town.”
verb
1
To move around without a fixed destination or purpose.
"They spent the afternoon wandering through the old town."
"The dog wandered off while we were unpacking the car."
"I like to wander along the beach with no plan at all."
2
Of the mind or attention, to drift and lose focus.
"His mind wandered during the long lecture."
"Her attention began to wander as the meeting dragged on."
"If your thoughts wander while you read, try taking a short break."
noun
1
A leisurely, aimless walk.
"Let's go for a wander around the market."
"After lunch we had a lazy wander through the park."
"A quiet wander by the river is a good way to clear your head."
How to use wander
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo walk or drift around with no particular destination, or for your attention to drift.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
wander off
wander around
mind wanders
go for a wander
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Word forms
- Plural
- wanders
- Third person singular
- wanders
- Past tense
- wandered
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Can you complete this real example?
They spent the afternoon _____ through the old town.
Etymology
From Old English wandrian, "to roam or stray," built on a Germanic root meaning "to turn" — the same idea behind German wandern and Dutch wandelen.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wander
See all rhymes for wander →Frequently asked questions
What does “wander” mean?
The word “wander” means to move around without a fixed destination or purpose. In plain terms, to walk or drift around with no particular destination, or for your attention to drift.
How do you pronounce “wander”?
“Wander” is pronounced WON-duh (/ˈwɑndɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wander” in a sentence?
Here is “wander” used in a sentence: “They spent the afternoon wandering through the old town.”
What part of speech is “wander”?
Depending on how it is used, “wander” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “wander” come from?
The word “wander” comes from Old English. From Old English wandrian, "to roam or stray," built on a Germanic root meaning "to turn" — the same idea behind German wandern and Dutch wandelen.
Is “wander” a common word?
“Wander” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “wander” have?
“Wander” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move around without a fixed destination or purpose.
What is the difference between wander and roam?
Wander and roam both describe moving around without a fixed destination, and they are close synonyms, though wander can also apply to the mind drifting and losing focus, a sense roam does not typically carry. Roam more often implies covering a wider or more open area.
Can wander describe something other than physical movement?
Yes, wander can describe the mind or attention drifting and losing focus, as in "my thoughts began to wander during the meeting." This figurative sense extends the physical idea of aimless movement to mental focus.
Is wander used as both a verb and a noun?
Yes, wander functions as a verb meaning to move around aimlessly or to drift mentally, and as a noun meaning a leisurely, aimless walk, as in "we went for a wander through the park." The noun use is especially common in British English.
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