Definition
To walk or move without a fixed destination or clear purpose, often in a relaxed or curious way.
Example
She wandered through the old market, enjoying every sight.
Show translation
She walked through the old market without a plan, enjoying every sight.
Etymology
From Old English *wandrian*, meaning to roam or move about, related to Old High German *wantōn*. The root is connected to the Proto-Germanic *wandōjanan*, which also gives us the sense of turning or winding — suggesting movement that curves rather than goes straight.
Cultural note
In English literature and culture, "wander" carries a distinctly romantic and positive charge. William Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" (1807) is one of the most quoted lines in the language and cemented the word's association with peaceful, solitary reflection. The related noun "wanderlust" — borrowed from German — is widely used in modern English to describe a deep desire to travel, especially among younger generations on social media.