1 rove | Definition of rove
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rove

verb (1)
\ ˈrōv How to pronounce rove (audio) \
roved; roving

Definition of rove

 (Entry 1 of 5)

intransitive verb

: to move aimlessly : roam

transitive verb

: to wander through or over

rove

noun (1)

Definition of rove (Entry 2 of 5)

: an act or instance of wandering

rove

Definition of rove (Entry 3 of 5)

past tense and past participle of reeve

rove

verb (2)
roved; roving

Definition of rove (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

: to join (textile fibers) with a slight twist and draw out into roving

rove

noun

Definition of rove (Entry 5 of 5)

: roving
Other Words from rove Choose the Right Synonym Learn More about rove

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Choose the Right Synonym for rove

Verb (1)

wander, roam, ramble, rove, traipse, meander mean to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose. wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course. fond of wandering about the square just watching the people roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield. liked to roam through the woods ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective. the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming. armed brigands roved over the countryside traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful. traipsed all over town looking for the right dress meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering. the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

First Known Use of rove

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1782, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1789, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rove

Verb (1)

earlier, to shoot at random, wander, of unknown origin

Verb (2)

origin unknown

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More Definitions for rove

rove

verb
\ ˈrōv How to pronounce rove (audio) \
roved; roving

Kids Definition of rove

: to wander without definite plan or direction

Other Words from rove

rover noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on rove

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with rove

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rove

Spanish Central: Translation of rove

Nglish: Translation of rove for Spanish Speakers

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