Wandering: meaning, definitions and examples

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wandering

 

[ หˆwษ’ndษ™rษชล‹ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

lost in thoughts

Moving from place to place without a fixed plan; roaming or traveling aimlessly.

Synonyms

drifting, rambling, roaming, roving.

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Word Description / Examples
wandering

Used when someone or something is moving around without a specific direction or purpose. Often used for people or animals that move around aimlessly.

  • He spent the afternoon wandering through the city streets
  • The lost dog was wandering around the neighborhood
roaming

Implies moving around a large area, often with a sense of freedom but without a fixed route. Can be used for people, animals, or even mobile devices connecting to various networks.

  • Their cat is always roaming around the neighborhood
  • Tourists were roaming the city, exploring its hidden treasures
rambling

Describes walking or talking in a long and confused way. It often implies that there is no clear purpose or direction.

  • We spent the day rambling through the countryside
  • His speech was long and rambling, without any clear point
drifting

Refers to being carried slowly by a current of air or water. Can also mean a person moving aimlessly from place to place without a specific goal.

  • The boat was drifting on the calm sea
  • After college, she spent a few years drifting from job to job
roving

Similar to roaming but often implies a purposeful search or quest. Can also refer to someone who moves around due to their job or lifestyle.

  • He spent years roving the world in search of new experiences
  • The roving reporter traveled from one location to another, covering different stories

Examples of usage

  • He spent his days wandering through the streets of the city.
  • She enjoys wandering in the woods, feeling at one with nature.
Context #2 | Noun

state of mind

The state or quality of being restless or inconstant in purpose.

Synonyms

erratic behavior, inconstancy, restlessness.

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Word Description / Examples
wandering

See first entry above.

restlessness

Describes a state of being unable to stay still or calm, often due to anxiety, excitement, or boredom. It can be used in both neutral and negative contexts.

  • He felt a sense of restlessness the night before his big exam
  • The restlessness of the crowd made the speaker nervous
inconstancy

Refers to the quality of being changeable or unreliable, especially in terms of emotions, loyalties, or commitments. It often has a negative connotation.

  • Her inconstancy in relationships made it difficult for her to maintain long-term partners
  • The politician was criticized for his inconstancy on key issues
erratic behavior

Describes behavior that is unpredictable, inconsistent, or irregular. It often has a negative connotation, implying instability or lack of control.

  • His erratic behavior in meetings made his colleagues uncomfortable
  • The stock market showed erratic behavior this week, confusing many investors

Examples of usage

  • His wandering often led to trouble as he could never stay in one place for too long.
  • The wandering of her mind made it difficult for her to focus on one task.

Translations

Translations of the word "wandering" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น vagando

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคญเคŸเค•เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช wandern

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengembara

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฑะปัƒะบะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wฤ™drowanie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ•ใพใ‚ˆใ†

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท errance

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ deambular

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท dolaลŸmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐฉ๋ž‘

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุฌูˆู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bloudฤ›nรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ blรบdenie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅพ˜ๅพŠ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ tavanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ rรกfa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะดะฐััƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฎแƒ”แƒขแƒ˜แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ gษ™zinti

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ deambular

Etymology

The word 'wandering' originated from the Old English word 'wandrian', which meant 'to roam about'. Over time, it evolved to encompass the idea of moving aimlessly or without a fixed plan. The concept of wandering has been explored in various works of literature and philosophy, often symbolizing a search for meaning or purpose in life.

See also: wanderer, wanderers.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,197 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.