Skip to main content

meanderto follow a winding course; to wander aimlessly or speak in a rambling manner

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to follow a winding course; to wander aimlessly or speak in a rambling manner

Pronunciation (IPA): /miˈændər/

Example Sentences

  • His speech meandered so much that everyone forgot what the original topic was.
  • We meandered through the old bookstore for hours, discovering hidden treasures.
  • The hiking trail meanders up the mountain, offering breathtaking views at every turn.

meander

VERB

[/miˈændər/]

to follow a winding course; to wander aimlessly or speak in a rambling manner

The river meanders lazily through the green valley below.
💡 Concept

The river meanders lazily through the green valley below.

Me and her meander through — winding, rambling, never straight through!
🧠 Mnemonic

Me and her meander through — winding, rambling, never straight through!

The commander follows where the salamander meanders!
🎵 Rhyme

The commander follows where the salamander meanders!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/miˈændər/
🇬🇧 UK/miˈændə/

🌳Etymology

Rootmeander

Origin

From Greek Maiandros, the name of a famously winding river in ancient Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The river's convoluted path became so legendary that its name was adopted as a common word for any winding or labyrinthine course.

Breakdown

Maiandros (Greek river name) → meander (English noun/verb). The word entered English as a direct borrowing from the river's name, with no further morphological breakdown into component parts.

🎵Rhyme

andercommandersalamander
ander
commander
salamander

🔗Collocations

meander through
river meanders
conversation meandered
meandering path
meander aimlessly

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

His speech meandered so much that everyone forgot what the original topic was.

We meandered through the old bookstore for hours, discovering hidden treasures.

The hiking trail meanders up the mountain, offering breathtaking views at every turn.

My thoughts tend to meander when I'm trying to fall asleep.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

wanderrambledriftroamwind

Antonyms

straightendirectfocus

Related

curvebendzigzagserpentinetwist

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.