nomad

American  

[noh-mad] / ˈnoʊ mæd /

noun

1. a member of a people or tribe that has no permanent abode but moves about from place to place, usually seasonally and often following a traditional route or circuit according to the state of the pasturage or food supply.

2. any wanderer; itinerant.

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adjective

1. nomadic.

nomad British  

/ ˈnəʊmæd /

noun

1. a member of a people or tribe who move from place to place to find pasture and food

2. a person who continually moves from place to place; wanderer

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Other Word Forms

• nomadism noun
• nonnomad noun
• seminomad noun
• seminomadism noun

Etymology

Origin of nomad

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin nomad-, from Greek, stem of nomás “roaming about for pasture,” akin to némein “to pasture, graze”

Example Sentences

The idea of being a digital nomad with no oversight is romantic, but when your income is project-based or hourly billed, you start feeling like every waking moment you aren’t working is costing you money.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

More than 60 countries have recently introduced digital nomad visa programs, which typically last between six months and a year.

From Salon • Nov. 16, 2024

Italy also offers a digital nomad visa, though applicants must be able to prove they have at least $31,000 in savings.

From Salon • Nov. 16, 2024

She’s originally from L.A.’s South Bay, and the nomad lifestyle that’s often a feature of her profession as an actor often leaves her feeling like she’s stranded on an island.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

“You mean besides selling everything we own, becoming a nomad, and charging desperate people a ton of cash to help them?”

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

Related Words

• migrant
• pilgrim
• vagabond
• wanderer