roam

[ rohm ]

verb (used without object)

1. to walk, go, or travel without a fixed purpose or direction; ramble; wander; rove:

   to roam about the world.

   Synonyms: prowl, stroll, stray

verb (used with object)

1. to wander over or through:

   to roam the countryside.

noun

1. an act or instance of roaming; a ramble.

roam

/ rəʊm /

verb

1. to travel or walk about with no fixed purpose or direction; wander

noun

1. the act of roaming

Derived Forms

• ˈroamer, noun

Other Words From

• roamer noun
• un·roaming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of roam¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English romen origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of roam¹

C13: origin unknown

Synonym Study

Roam, ramble, range, rove imply wandering about over (usually) a considerable amount of territory. Roam implies a wandering or traveling over a large area, especially as prompted by restlessness or curiosity: to roam through a forest. Ramble implies pleasant, carefree moving about, walking with no specific purpose and for a limited distance: to ramble through fields near home. Range usually implies wandering over a more or less defined but extensive area in search of something: Cattle range over the plains. Rove sometimes implies wandering with specific incentive or aim, as an animal for prey: Bandits rove through these mountains.

Example Sentences

The earliest on the program, “Jefferson and Liberty” from 1800, included the verse: “Here strangers from thousand shores/Compell’d by tyranny to roam;/Shall find, amidst abundant stores,/A nobler and a happier home.”

From Los Angeles Times

He had Steinway program a player piano to perform “Mad Rush” with Glass pounding playing style, and he had his roaming camera observe the big cat’s response to the music.

From Los Angeles Times

So, does Amorim tweak his formation, use Fernandes as a false nine or an orthodox midfield player or does he play him as an inside forward with licence to roam.

From BBC

The premise is built around an urban myth that Candyman roamed the Cabrini-Green housing projects in Chicago and could be summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror.

From Los Angeles Times

In classic newsrooms of yesteryears, the roaming reporter gig fell to interns or green reporters as a way of paying their dues.

From Salon

Related Words

• drift
• meander
• prowl
• ramble
• saunter
• stray
• stroll
• traipse
• tramp
• trek