English Reference
adjective · noun

wandering

adj. · n.
US /ˈwɑndɝɪŋ/ UK /wˈɒndəɹɪŋ/ wan·der·ing UK spelling wanderings

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.moving from one place to another without a fixed plan or home.

    adj.travelling from place to place without a fixed route or permanent residence.

    Simple

    The wandering musicians travelled from village to village playing for food.

    In context

    The wandering tribes of the central plains maintained a seasonal migration pattern that had remained unchanged for centuries.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.describing a mind or gaze that is not staying on one topic or object.

    adj.characterised by a lack of focus or concentration; shifting aimlessly between thoughts or visual points.

    Simple

    He had a wandering mind and found it hard to finish his homework.

    In context

    The professor noticed the student's wandering gaze and realized the lecture had failed to capture the class's interest.

    distractedunfocused
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Literary

    n.the act of walking or travelling around with no particular goal.

    n.the act of travelling or roaming without a predetermined destination or itinerary.

    Simple

    After years of wandering, he finally decided to buy a house by the sea.

    In context

    Her restless wandering through the ancient city streets eventually led her to a small, forgotten chapel near the river.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency TechnicalFormal Medicine

    n.speech that is confused or does not make sense, often because of a high fever.

    n.disordered or delirious speech, typically resulting from illness or mental confusion.

    Simple

    The patient's wandering made it difficult for the doctor to understand his symptoms.

    In context

    During the height of the fever, the patient's quiet wanderings suggested a deep state of cognitive disorientation.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural form 'wanderings' when describing delirium.

    deliriumincoherence

If you’ve ever been wandering the streets of Chicago or New York, wondering why there’s no place to pee, this history is part of the answer.

JSTOR Daily· 19 Aug 2026

When the team silenced these neurons, the flies got lost entirely, wandering upwind with no idea how to get back.

Ars Technica· 1 Aug 2026

From wander + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated