Wandering

/ˈwɒndərɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

verb

Moving about without a fixed course, aim, or goal.

The lost traveler spent the night wandering through the forest.

To move in a leisurely or aimless way.

She enjoyed wandering through the quaint streets of the old town.

adjective

Having no fixed course or direction.

His wandering thoughts made it difficult for him to concentrate on the lecture.

Straying or not confined to a particular location.

The wandering artist found inspiration in every corner of the city.

Middle English: from the verb 'wanderen', from Old English 'wandrian, or related to the German 'wandern'.

wandering mind

A state where one's thoughts are unfocused or distracted.

wandering eye

An inclination to look at other people, often in an unfaithful or flirtatious way.

wandering thoughts

Thoughts that are unfocused and stray away from the main topic.

wander

To move about without a fixed course.

roam

To move about aimlessly or without any destination.

stray

To move away from a group or from the right course.

Lost in thought

I was totally wandering when they asked me a question.

Out and about without a plan

We were just wandering around the city, exploring.