roam

verb \ˈrōm\

: to go to different places without having a particular purpose or plan

Full Definition of ROAM

intransitive verb

: to go from place to place without purpose or direction : wander

: to travel purposefully unhindered through a wide area <cattle roaming in search of water>

: to use a cellular phone outside one's local calling area <roaming charges>

transitive verb

: to range or wander over

— roam noun

— roam·er noun

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Origin of ROAM

Middle English romen

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ROAM

Synonyms: bat, cruise, drift, float, gad (about), gallivant (also galavant), kick around, knock (about), maunder, meander, mooch, ramble, range, wander, rove, traipse

Synonym Discussion of ROAM

wander, roam, ramble, rove, traipse, meander mean to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose. wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course <fond of wandering about the square just watching the people>. roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield <liked to roam through the woods>. ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective <the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point>. rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming <armed brigands roved over the countryside>. traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful <traipsed all over town looking for the right dress>. meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering <the river meanders for miles through rich farmland>.