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View synonyms for

wander

[ won-der ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to ramble without a definite purpose or objective; roam, rove, or stray:

    to wander over the earth.

    Synonyms: ,

  2. to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually; meander:

    The river wanders among the rocks.

    Synonyms:

  3. to extend in an irregular course or direction:

    Foothills wandered off to the south.

  4. to move, pass, or turn idly, as the hand or the eyes.
  5. (of the mind, thoughts, desires, etc.) to take one direction or another without conscious intent or control:

    His attention wandered as the speaker droned on.

  6. to stray from a path, place, companions, etc.:

    During the storm the ship wandered from its course.

    Synonyms: ,

  7. to deviate in conduct, belief, etc.; err; go astray:

    Let me not wander from Thy Commandments.

  8. to think or speak confusedly or incoherently.

    Synonyms: ,

  9. (of a person with a mental disorder or cognitive impairment) to move about or walk in a seemingly aimless or random manner.


verb (used with object)

  1. to travel about, on, or through:

    He wandered the streets.

noun

  1. Mechanics. the drift of a gyroscope or a similar device.

wander

/ ˈɒԻə /

verb

  1. also tr to move or travel about, in, or through (a place) without any definite purpose or destination
  2. to proceed in an irregular course; meander
  3. to go astray, as from a path or course
  4. (of the mind, thoughts, etc) to lose concentration or direction
  5. to think or speak incoherently or illogically
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of wandering
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈɲԻԲ, adjectivenoun
  • ˈɲԻ, noun
  • ˈɲԻԲly, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ɲd· noun
  • dzܳwd verb (used with object)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of wander1

First recorded before 900; Middle English wandren, Old English wandrian “to wend repeatedly” (cognate with German wandern ), from wendan; wend
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Word History and Origins

Origin of wander1

Old English wandrian; related to Old Frisian wandria, Middle Dutch, Middle High German wanderen
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Francis, meanwhile, continued his anthropological wanderings, carrying whatever insights or regrets he gained from that night into his studies of other cultures' sacred rituals.

From

Authorities believe he may have wandered the house for several days unaware of Arakawa’s death and unable to get help due to the advanced state of his disease.

From

The hiker and a companion had wandered off the remote 53-mile hiking path that follows the northern California coastline of redwoods and black sand beaches when one of them fell 100 feet.

From

He said he had been wandering up to the pub with a friend for "one last drink", when he heard an "almighty explosion".

From

Long before Jesus ever knew of the existence of America, as he wandered through different lands preaching the word of God, he proclaimed, “America First!”

From

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WandaWanderer