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

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

"This is especially important in Richmond Park and Bushy Park which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and where wild deer roam freely."

From BBC

Unlike dozens of feral cats found dead on farms with outbreaks, these domestic cats didn’t roam around herds, lapping up milk that teemed with virus.

From Salon

The youngster was given a licence to roam forward against Bayern and often ended up as the furthest player forward as he assisted both Barca's first and second goals.

From BBC

It’s complicated in Los Angeles, however, because those green spaces are crisscrossed with freeways that have led to the deaths of many other cougars that attempted to roam.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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