wanderer

UK: ˈwɒndərə | US: ˈwɑːndərər

Definition

  1. n. a person who travels aimlessly or without a fixed destination

  2. n. a person who strays from a path, group, or moral standard

Structure
wander <to roam>er <agent noun suffix>
Etymology

The word traces back to Proto-Germanic wandrōną ("to wander"), linked to the idea of turning or deviating. Over time, "wander" evolved to imply leisurely or purposeless movement, while the suffix "-er" solidified its meaning as "one who wanders." The term captures both physical travel and metaphorical straying.

Examples

  1. The old wanderer shared tales of distant lands.

  2. She felt like a wanderer in her own city, exploring hidden alleys.

  3. The novel’s protagonist is a restless wanderer seeking meaning.

  4. Some see him as a visionary; others, a mere wanderer.

  5. The desert wanderer relied on the stars for direction.