ramble

[ ram-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, ram·bled, ram·bling.

1. to wander around in a leisurely, aimless manner:

   They rambled through the shops until closing time.

   Synonyms: straggle, stray, amble, saunter, stroll

2. to take a course with many turns or windings, as a stream or path.
3. to grow in a random, unsystematic fashion:

   The vine rambled over the walls and tree trunks.

4. to talk or write in a discursive, aimless way (usually followed by on ):

   The speaker rambled on with anecdote after anecdote.

verb (used with object)

, ram·bled, ram·bling.

1. to walk aimlessly or idly over or through:

   They spent the spring afternoon rambling woodland paths.

noun

1. a walk without a definite route, taken merely for pleasure.

ramble

/ ˈræmbəl /

verb

1. to stroll about freely, as for relaxation, with no particular direction
2. (of paths, streams, etc) to follow a winding course; meander
3. (of plants) to grow in a random fashion
4. (of speech, writing, etc) to lack organization

noun

1. a leisurely stroll, esp in the countryside

Word History and Origins

Origin of ramble¹

First recorded in 1610–20; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of ramble¹

C17: probably related to Middle Dutch rammelen to roam (of animals); see ram

Synonym Study

See roam.

Example Sentences

As usual, Harbaugh rambled on and on about his on-field leader but failed to explain how Herbert made the plays he made on the final drive.

From Los Angeles Times

When pressed for a specific proposal on how to provide affordable child care to American workers, Trump rambled incoherently through an embarrassing list of non-sequiturs.

From Salon

In a rambling video message posted Thursday morning, Jones called the takeover a “total attack on free speech”.

From BBC

It seemed that allegations of frailty and inability to lead did not stick to Trump — who might ramble and give odd answers but typically sounded forceful and self-assured.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re going to make America better than it’s ever been,” Trump said in a rambling speech at the convention center in West Palm Beach, Fla., frequently diverging from prepared remarks.

From Los Angeles Times