# wanderer

/ˈwɑndɝɝ/ (US) · /wˈɒndəɹɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wanderer
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a person who travels from place to place without a fixed plan or home. You use this to describe someone who enjoys exploring and moving around rather than staying in one spot.

For teachers: a person who travels aimlessly or without a permanent destination. Often carries a literary or romantic connotation of freedom and curiosity.

## Examples

- The lonely wanderer walked through the forest for hours.
- After retiring, he became a true wanderer, spending his months traveling across the continent in a small van.
- The novel depicts the protagonist as a restless wanderer, forever seeking a sense of belonging that his nomadic lifestyle consistently denies him.

## Usage notes

- Often used metaphorically to describe someone whose mind or attention frequently drifts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.