1 wandering | Definition of wandering

wandering

adjective
wan·​der·​ing | \ ˈwän-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce wandering (audio) \

Definition of wandering

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: characterized by aimless, slow, or pointless movement: such as
a : that winds or meanders a wandering course
b : not keeping a rational or sensible course : vagrant
c : nomadic wandering tribes
d of a plant : having long runners or tendrils

wandering

noun

Definition of wandering (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a going about from place to place —often used in plural
2 : movement away from the proper, normal, or usual course or place —often used in plural

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Examples of wandering in a Sentence

Adjective

your decidedly wandering essay loses its punch—stick to one theme a wandering carnival that visited small towns all over the South

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Donovan was born in Glasgow, Scotland and was a high school dropout and sort of wandering beach bum, according to his bio. — Mike Oliver | Moliver@al.com, al, "My Vinyl Countdown gets a sweet tooth looking at the No. 1 song in 1969," 4 Aug. 2019 Little little orishas is the story of Sango, a simple-minded and defiant wandering spirit, and his gentle sister Oya. — Ciku Kimeria, Quartz Africa, "The Congolese storyteller drawing on African mythology and spirituality for his comic books," 2 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wandering.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of wandering

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for wandering

wandering

adjective
wan·​der·​ing | \ ˈwän-də-riŋ How to pronounce wandering (audio) \

Medical Definition of wandering

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: floating a wandering spleen

wandering

noun

Medical Definition of wandering (Entry 2 of 2)

: movement of a tooth out of its normal position especially as a result of periodontal disease

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