adj
Common
wandering
WON-duh-rihng
Wandering (adj) means moving from place to place without a settled route or home. Example: “A wandering musician passed through the village every summer.”
adj
1
Moving from place to place without a settled route or home.
"A wandering musician passed through the village every summer."
"Wandering tribes once crossed the desert, following the seasons and their herds."
"A wandering dog followed us home from the park."
noun
1
Travel or movement without a fixed plan; roaming.
"Years of wandering finally brought her back to her hometown."
"Her wandering through the old city streets had no real purpose."
"After months of wandering, the travellers longed for a proper bed."
2
Aimless or unfocused thought.
"His essay suffered from constant wandering off-topic."
"The long lecture was full of wandering, and nobody could follow the point."
"Mind wandering is common when you are tired and bored."
How to use wandering
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRoaming around without a fixed route, home, or focus.
Common pairings
wandering minstrel
years of wandering
wandering thoughts
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Word forms
- Plural
- wanderings
Fill the gap
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A _____ musician passed through the village every summer.
Etymology
Formed from wander and -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for wandering
peering
tapering
lowering
covering
offering
entering
altering
cheering
steering
uttering
ordering
towering
See all rhymes for wandering →
Frequently asked questions
What does “wandering” mean?
The word “wandering” means moving from place to place without a settled route or home. In plain terms, roaming around without a fixed route, home, or focus.
How do you pronounce “wandering”?
“Wandering” is pronounced WON-duh-rihng (/ˈwɑndəɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wandering” in a sentence?
Here is “wandering” used in a sentence: “A wandering musician passed through the village every summer.”
What part of speech is “wandering”?
Depending on how it is used, “wandering” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “wandering” a common word?
“Wandering” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wandering” have?
“Wandering” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: moving from place to place without a settled route or home.
What is the difference between wandering and wondering?
Wandering means moving from place to place without a settled route or destination, while wondering means thinking curiously or questioning something in your mind. The two words sound similar but are unrelated in meaning, and confusing them is a common spelling mistake.
Is wandering used as an adjective or a noun?
Wandering can function as either an adjective, describing something moving without a settled route, as in "a wandering traveler," or as a noun, referring to the act of roaming itself, as in "years of wandering." The correct form depends on whether it is describing a person or thing versus naming the activity.
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