Nomadic: meaning, definitions and examples

🏞️
Add to dictionary

nomadic

 

[ nəʊˈmædɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

lifestyle

Living the life of a nomad, moving from place to place, without a permanent home.

Synonyms

itinerant, roaming, traveling, wandering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
nomadic

Used to describe people or groups who move from place to place without a permanent home, often in search of food, work, or other resources.

  • The nomadic tribe followed the herds across the plains.
  • Their lifestyle is quite nomadic, as they rarely stay in one place for long.
wandering

Describes moving around without a clear direction or purpose, often implying a sense of aimlessness or leisure.

  • He spent the afternoon wandering through the old paths of the city.
  • She found herself wandering in thought during the long lecture.
roaming

Describes moving around an area or from place to place without a specific destination, often used for animals or in a more casual human context.

  • The wolves were seen roaming the forest at night.
  • After graduating, she spent a year roaming around Europe.
itinerant

Typically refers to people who travel from place to place for work or duty, often implying a regular or scheduled pattern.

  • He worked as an itinerant teacher, moving between different schools.
  • The hospital employs several itinerant doctors who cover rural areas.
traveling

General term for moving from one place to another, often involving long distances or international trips, commonly used for vacations or business trips.

  • I'm traveling to Paris next month for a conference.
  • Traveling around the world has always been my dream.

Examples of usage

  • He led a nomadic life, traveling from one country to another.
  • The nomadic tribes of the desert have adapted to their harsh environment.
  • Nomadic peoples often follow the herds of animals they rely on for food.
  • Nomadic communities maintain strong social bonds despite their constant movement.
  • Her nomadic lifestyle allowed her to experience different cultures and landscapes.

Translations

Translations of the word "nomadic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nômade

🇮🇳 खानाबदोश

🇩🇪 nomadisch

🇮🇩 nomaden

🇺🇦 кочовий

🇵🇱 koczowniczy

🇯🇵 遊牧民の

🇫🇷 nomade

🇪🇸 nómada

🇹🇷 göçebe

🇰🇷 유목민의

🇸🇦 بدوي

🇨🇿 kočovný

🇸🇰 kočovný

🇨🇳 游牧的

🇸🇮 nomadski

🇮🇸 hirðingja

🇰🇿 көшпенді

🇬🇪 მოხეტიალე

🇦🇿 köçəri

🇲🇽 nómada

Etymology

The word 'nomadic' is derived from the Greek word 'nomadikos', meaning 'roaming, wandering'. Nomadic lifestyles have been practiced by various cultures throughout history, from the Bedouin tribes of the Middle East to the Mongolian nomads of the steppes. The ability to adapt to different environments and move with the seasons has been a key survival strategy for nomadic peoples. Today, the term 'nomadic' is often used to describe those who lead a transient or mobile lifestyle, whether by choice or necessity.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,957, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.