- 1[intransitive, transitive] to walk slowly around or to a place, often without any particular sense of purpose or direction + adv./prep. She wandered aimlessly around the streets. We wandered back toward the car. wander something The child was found wandering the streets alone.
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- 2[intransitive] to move away from the place where you should be or the people you are with synonym stray wander away/off The child wandered off and got lost. wander from/off something They had wandered from the path into the woods.
- 3[intransitive] (of a person's mind or thoughts) to stop being directed on something and to move without much control to other ideas, subjects, etc. synonym drift It's easy to be distracted and let your attention wander. Try not to let your mind wander. wander away, back, to, etc. something Her thoughts wandered back to her youth. Don't wander off the subject — stay focused.
- 4[intransitive] (of a person's eyes) to move slowly from looking at one thing to looking at another thing or in other directions She let her gaze wander. + adv./prep. His eyes wandered toward the photographs on the wall.
- 5[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) (of a road or river) to curve instead of following a straight course The road wanders along through the hills.
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NAmE//ˈwɑndər//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they wander he / she / it wanders
past simple wandered
-ing form wandering
Check pronunciation: wander