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

Other Word Forms

• roamer noun
• unroaming 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

By playing in a rigid positional manner, players don't roam, so don't drag the opposition into unfamiliar areas.

From BBC

On any given night, roaming bands of proud Latino alternative kids can find each other in the streets and music venues of L.A., seeking a sense of gothic sanctuary and community solidarity.

From Los Angeles Times

Until the 1980s people roamed the mountains of Shennongjia in central China hunting monkeys for their meat and fur.

From BBC

She also reads Hebrew, had her bat mitzvah and, like her mom and dad, loves to roam the city.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s Big Boy, a hefty male who likes to roam.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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