wander

UK: /ˈwɒndə^r/ US: /ˈwɑndɚ/ ,(won′dər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

wan•der /ˈwɑndɚ/   v. 

1. to move around without a definite purpose or plan;
   roam:
   [no object] wandering through the mall.
2. to go, move, pass, or extend in an irregular course or direction:
   [no object] His gaze wandered briefly around the room.
3. to stray, as from a path or subject:
   [no object] Your thoughts are wandering.
4. to travel about, on, or through:
   [~ + object] to wander the countryside.

wan•der•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wan•der  (won′dər), v.i. 

1. to ramble without a definite purpose or objective;
   roam, rove, or stray:
   to wander over the earth.
2. to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually;
   meander:
   The river wanders among the rocks.
3. to extend in an irregular course or direction:
   Foothills wandered off to the south.
4. to move, pass, or turn idly, as the hand or the eyes.
5. (of the mind, thoughts, desires, etc.) to take one direction or another without conscious intent or control:
   His attention wandered as the speaker droned on.
6. to stray from a path, place, companions, etc.:
   During the storm the ship wandered from its course.
7. to deviate in conduct, belief, etc.;
   err;
   go astray:
   Let me not wander from Thy Commandments.
8. to think or speak confusedly or incoherently.

v.t. 

9. to travel about, on, or through:
   He wandered the streets.

n. 

10. Mechanics the drift of a gyroscope or a similar device.

• bef. 900; Middle English wandren, Old English wandrian (cognate with German wandern), frequentative of wendan to wend; see -er⁶

wan′der•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. range, stroll.
• 2. saunter.
• 6. swerve, veer.
• 8. ramble, rave.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wander / ˈwɒndə/ verb (mainly intr)

1. (also tr) to move or travel about, in, or through (a place) without any definite purpose or destination
2. to proceed in an irregular course; meander
3. to go astray, as from a path or course
4. (of the mind, thoughts, etc) to lose concentration or direction
5. to think or speak incoherently or illogically

noun

1. the act or an instance of wandering

Etymology: Old English wandrian; related to Old Frisian wandria, Middle Dutch, Middle High German wanderen

ˈwanderer noun

ˈwandering adjective , noun