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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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Other Word Forms

  • wanderer noun
  • outwander verb (used with object)
  • ˈɲԻԲ adjective
  • ˈɲԻ noun
  • ˈɲԻԲly adverb
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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.

Mobile patients could wander the hospital’s corridors, or fall and injure themselves.

From

A customer has called: a horse is loose and wandering in a country lane.

From

Tourists wandered through openings in the gates, some lamenting the lengthy detours the barriers required — especially given the humidity and heat that pressed down on the city.

From

Miller reports that Mr. Thelma, who was found wandering in the rubble of their yard several days after their home on West Palm Street in Altadena was destroyed, is OK, but still won’t go outside.

From

Marcus Smith wanders over for a chat, mainly about how mutual acquaintance Danny Care is adjusting to life as a civilian.

From

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WandaWanderer