meaning of wandering for

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[ won -der ]

verb (used without object)

to wander over the earth.

Synonyms: stroll , range

The river wanders among the rocks.

Synonyms: saunter

Foothills wandered off to the south.

• to move, pass, or turn idly, as the hand or the eyes.

His attention wandered as the speaker droned on.

During the storm the ship wandered from its course.

Synonyms: veer , swerve

Let me not wander from Thy Commandments.

Synonyms: rave , ramble

• (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)

He wandered the streets.

• Mechanics. the drift of a gyroscope or a similar device.
• also tr to move or travel about, in, or through (a place) without any definite purpose or destination
• to proceed in an irregular course; meander
• to go astray, as from a path or course
• (of the mind, thoughts, etc) to lose concentration or direction
• to think or speak incoherently or illogically
• the act or an instance of wandering

Discover More

Derived forms.

• ˈwandering , adjective noun
• ˈwanderer , noun
• ˈwanderingly , adverb

Other Words From

• wander·er noun
• outwander verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wander 1

Example Sentences

If there’s no Wander Walk in the neighborhood, your kids can create something similar.

Hear from the founders of innovative brands including WANDER Beauty, Topicals, Ettitude, GEENIE, GEM, Floyd and Goodfair.

As Yellowstone bears increasingly wander outside the sanctuary of the park, they run an ever-greater risk of getting shot.

Some kids are prone to letting their minds wander and daydreaming.

Save for the clip of heels as visitors wander around the gallery, the venue is silent.

Finally, I have to wander slightly off brief with my last two recommendations.

One can even rent out the villa here or wander down from the Arc de Triomphe and peek through the fence.

He allowed his mind to wander back into the past—back many years to the time when he had gone into the country to take a meal.

Of all the inhabitants of London chambers those are the most lonely who never wander away from London.

Sometimes Jehosophat's father opens the gate in the fence and lets the geese wander down to the pond.

Literally and figuratively, their lives seemed to wander through flowery pleasure-paths.

She appeared to wander in her mind, for sometimes her words were coherent, at other times she merely babbled.

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wan•der•ing

• evagation - Means mental wandering or digression, also a digression in speech or writing.
• mundivagant - Means "wandering around the world."
• vagation - The action of wandering, straying, or departing from the proper or regular course.
• wanderjahr - Literally German for "wander year," it refers to a year of wandering or travel.

wan·der·ing

• bird of passage
• Diomedea exulans
• Wanamaker John
• Wanchüan
• Wand of peace
• Wanda Landowska
• wander about or around
• wander back
• wander plug
• wandering albatross
• Wandering cell
• Wandering Jew
• Wandering kidney
• Wandering liver
• Wandering mouse
• wandering nerve
• Wandering spider
• wanderingly
• Wang An Shi
• Wang Jing Wei
• Wang Jingwei
• wander off from us
• wander off from you
• Wander, Karl Friedrich Wilhelm
• wandered about
• wandered around
• wandered away
• wandered away from
• wandered from
• wandered in
• wandered into
• wandered off
• wandered off from
• Wanderer Butterfly
• Wanderer Class Owners' Association
• Wanderers' Rest Humane Association
• wandering about
• wandering abscess
• wandering albatrosses
• wandering around
• Wandering Around Being Visible
• wandering atrial pacemaker
• wandering away
• wandering away from
• wandering cell
• wandering dune
• wandering erysipelas
• Wandering Eye
• wandering from
• Wandering Gallbladder
• wandering goiter
• Wandering Hand Trouble
• wandering hands
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Definition of 'wander'

wander in British English

Wander in american english, examples of 'wander' in a sentence wander, trends of wander.

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Browse alphabetically wander

• wand reader
• wander aimlessly
• wander alone
• wander an aisle
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'W'

Related terms of wander

• eyes wander
• wander plug
• polar wander
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Meaning of wandering in English

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wander verb ( MOVE AROUND )

• walk The baby has just learned to walk.
• stride She strode purposefully up to the desk and demanded to speak to the manager.
• march He marched right in to the office and demanded to see the governor.
• stroll We strolled along the beach.
• wander She wandered from room to room, not sure of what she was looking for.
• amble She ambled down the street, looking in shop windows.
• crawl There'd been a bad accident on the motorway and traffic was crawling.
• trundle Lorries trundle through the narrow lanes.
• creep He crept downstairs, hardly making any noise.
• trudge They trudged wearily through the snow.
• stroll We spent the afternoon strolling around Budapest.
• amble He ambled over to the window.
• Don't worry if you lose hold of the reins - the horse won't wander off.
• He wandered around, clearing up in a desultory way.
• We wandered along the shore , stepping over the flotsam that had washed up in the night .
• We wandered through the beautifully proportioned rooms of the Winter Palace.
• She was wandering around in a daze this morning .
• His eyes wandered over the posters adorning the walls .
• dumbwalking

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

wander verb ( SUBJECT )

• bury the lede idiom
• candy coating
• candy-coated
• circumlocution
• circumlocutory
• gloss over something
• go off on a tangent idiom
• mealy-mouthed
• prevaricate
• unexpressed

Related word

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anonymously

without the name of someone who has done a particular thing being known or made public

Dead ringers and peas in pods (Talking about similarities, Part 2)

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• wander (SUBJECT)
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wander noun

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What does the noun wander mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun wander . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the noun wander ?

How is the noun wander pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun wander come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun wander is in the 1840s.

OED's earliest evidence for wander is from 1843, in a letter by John Campbell Shairp, literary scholar.

It is also recorded as a verb from the Old English period (pre-1150).

wander is formed within English, by conversion.

Etymons: wander v.

Nearby entries

• wand, v. 1572–
• wandale, n.¹ Old English–1642
• Wandale, n.² a1387–1908
• Wandalical, adj. ?a1475
• wand-bearer, n. 1840–
• wand-bone, n. 1488
• wand-church, n. ?c1450
• wandclot, n. 1397
• wanded, adj. 1567–
• wandelard, n. 1338
• wander, n. 1843–
• wander, v. Old English–
• wanderable, adj. 1906–
• wander-bird, n. 1924–
• wander-book, n. 1844–
• wandered, adj. c1420–
• wanderer, n. c1440–
• wandering, n. a1300–
• wandering, adj. Old English–
• wandering Jew, n. 1622–
• Wanderjahr, n. 1893–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for wander, n..

wander, n. was first published in 1921; not yet revised.

wander, n. was last modified in July 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

• corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into wander, n. in July 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1921)

• Find out more

OED Second Edition (1989)

• View wander, n. in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for wander, n., browse entry.

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Definition of wander noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• I went to the park and had a wander around.

Definitions on the go

Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

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What is mind wandering? 5 ways it is beneficial for you

Ever get lost in thought while washing dishes or find yourself miles away during a meeting that's mind wandering, and it's far more common than you might think. it's the phenomenon where our attention drifts away from the present moment to internal thoughts, memories, or future plans..

What is mind wandering?

Mind wandering refers to the phenomenon where our thoughts drift away from the task at hand to unrelated topics, memories, or future plans. It's like daydreaming, where your mind floats to unrelated thoughts, feelings, or images. While it can sometimes disrupt focus, it can also be a source of creativity and unexpected insights. Embracing mind wandering can offer numerous advantages for our well-being and cognitive functioning. Here are five ways in which mind wandering can be beneficial for you.

Creative insight:

One of the most notable benefits of mind wandering is its connection to creativity. When our minds wander, they have the freedom to explore different ideas and connections, unconstrained by the limitations of focused attention. This mental wandering can lead to creative insights and innovative solutions to problems. Research has shown that individuals who frequently engage in mind wandering tend to score higher on measures of creativity. Allowing your mind to wander can thus spark new ideas and perspectives that may not have emerged through focused thinking alone.

Enhances problem-solving:

Sometimes, stepping away from a problem allows us to see it from a different angle. When we return to a work with new perspective, mind wandering might help us digest information subconsciously and produce "aha!" moments. It can also help us identify patterns and make connections that might not be apparent when we're focused solely on the immediate problem.

Self-reflection and insight:

Mind wandering provides an opportunity for self-reflection and introspection. When our thoughts wander, we may find ourselves contemplating our values, goals, and aspirations. This introspective process allows us to gain insights into our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. By exploring our inner world during moments of mind wandering, we can develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. This self-awareness can lead to personal growth and enhanced decision-making skills.

Reduces stress and fatigue:

Constant focus can be mentally draining. Mind wandering acts as a mental break, allowing your brain to relax and recharge. This can improve your mood, reduce stress levels, and enhance overall cognitive function. Taking short mental breaks throughout the day can actually lead to increased productivity in the long run.

Strengthens memory:

Mind wandering often involves replaying past memories or mentally rehearsing future events. This mental rehearsal helps solidify memories and strengthens neural pathways. It can also aid in planning and goal setting, as we envision the steps needed to achieve our desired outcomes.

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Synonyms of wander

• as in to roam
• as in to trespass
• as in stroll
• More from M-W
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Thesaurus Definition of wander

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• knock (about)
• gad (about)
• kick around
• mill (about or around)
• fall from grace
• break the law

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Thesaurus Definition of wander  (Entry 2 of 2)

• constitutional
• perambulation
• peregrination

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb wander contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wander are meander , ramble , roam , rove , and traipse . While all these words 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.

When might meander be a better fit than wander ?

The words meander and wander are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

When is ramble a more appropriate choice than wander ?

The meanings of ramble and wander largely overlap; however, ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

When would roam be a good substitute for wander ?

The words roam and wander can be used in similar contexts, but roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

When can rove be used instead of wander ?

While in some cases nearly identical to wander , rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

In what contexts can traipse take the place of wander ?

The synonyms traipse and wander are sometimes interchangeable, but traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

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Cite this entry.

“Wander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wander. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on wander

Nglish: Translation of wander for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of wander for Arabic Speakers

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