aimlessly

[ eym-lis-lee ]

adverb

1. without purpose or intent:

   She wandered aimlessly among the empty houses, telling herself sad stories about all the people who weren’t there.

   There was no actual work to do, so I spent most of my workday browsing aimlessly through social media.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aimlessly¹

aimless ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

He drove alone to a Costco, aimlessly walking the aisles and tasting the food samples.

From Los Angeles Times

I didn’t need to drive around aimlessly and ask people whether they support Kamala Harris or Donald Trump to know that Latinos are as diverse in their political opinions as non-Latinos, if not more so.

From Los Angeles Times

From the moment she strode out flashing her high-wattage smile, Harris commanded the stage with a purpose and passion that eluded her the last time she ran, aimlessly and unsuccessfully, for the White House.

From Los Angeles Times

From his home’s backdoor, Blowen can watch one former racehorse great in particular amble aimlessly in a nearby pasture: Silver Charm, the champion thoroughbred that won the 1997 Kentucky Derby.

From Seattle Times

When the trees were in the full flame of autumn’s fire, Abel wandered aimlessly over the island until the sight of the high color had him glowing inwardly with sensations of yellow, orange, and red.

From Literature

Related Words

• frantically
• indiscriminately
• instinctively
• madly
• wildly