nomad

[ noh-mad ]

noun

1. a member of a people or tribe that has no permanent abode but moves about from place to place, usually seasonally and often following a traditional route or circuit according to the state of the pasturage or food supply.
2. any wanderer; itinerant.

adjective

1. nomadic.

nomad

/ ˈnəʊmæd /

noun

1. a member of a people or tribe who move from place to place to find pasture and food
2. a person who continually moves from place to place; wanderer

Derived Forms

• ˈnomadism, noun

Other Words From

• nomad·ism noun
• non·nomad noun adjective
• semi·nomad noun
• semi·nomad·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nomad¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin nomad-, from Greek, stem of nomás “roaming about for pasture,” akin to némein “to pasture, graze”

Word History and Origins

Origin of nomad¹

C16: via French from Latin nomas wandering shepherd, from Greek; related to nemein to feed, pasture

Example Sentences

Japan is also one of more than 60 countries that offers a digital nomad visa, which allows remote workers to legally live in the country for up to one year.

From Salon

Now he’s pursuing a specialized Spanish visa offered to remote workers, also known as a digital nomad visa, with a goal of moving within three years.

From Los Angeles Times

In the capital Lisbon and the Algarve especially, the number of so-called "digital nomads" has shot up.

From BBC

One of the reasons is its tax incentives for remote workers and a recent digital nomad visa, which allows non-EU nationals to relocate to Italy if they earn over a certain amount.

From BBC

Danzy Senna’s ‘Colored Television’ is a funny Hollywood takedown that offers a window into the lives of ‘racial nomads’ who must negotiate a world that is hostile to them.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• migrant
• pilgrim
• vagabond
• wanderer