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noun

wayfarer

WAY-fair-er
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Wayfarer (noun) means a person who travels, especially on foot. Example: “The wayfarer stopped at the inn to rest before continuing along the road.”

noun
1
A person who travels, especially on foot.
"The wayfarer stopped at the inn to rest before continuing along the road."
"A lone wayfarer crossed the moor as the light faded."
"She packed a small bag and set off as a wayfarer for the summer."

How to use wayfarer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone out travelling, usually on foot.

When to use it

It reads as literary or old-fashioned rather than everyday.

Memory tip

Picture someone walking a long road, not someone driving or flying.

Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
lone wayfarer weary wayfarer fellow wayfarer
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ stopped at the inn to rest before continuing along the road.

Etymology

Wayfarer comes from Middle English weyfarere or weifarere. It combines way with farer, meaning someone who fares, or journeys.

Origin: Middle English

traveller journeyer

Related words

Rhymes for wayfarer

See all rhymes for wayfarer →

Frequently asked questions

What does wayfarer mean?
A wayfarer is someone who travels, particularly on foot rather than by other means.
Is wayfarer an old-fashioned word?
It has a traditional, literary feel and is more common in stories and poetry than everyday speech.
Where does the word wayfarer come from?
It comes from Middle English, formed from way and farer, someone who journeys along a way.
What is the meaning of wayfarer?
"wayfarer" (noun) means a person who travels, especially on foot.

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