nomadic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nomadic
From the Greek word nomadikós, dating back to 1810–20. See nomad, -ic
Explanation
A nomad is someone who lives by traveling from place to place. Nomadic thus means anything that involves moving around a lot. Nomadic hunter-gatherer tribes follow the animals they hunt, carrying tents with them. You don't have to be a nomad to live a nomadic lifestyle. People who work for the state department travel from foreign country to foreign country in four-year postings––they might call this nomadic. If you change schools a lot because of your parents' moves, you could say you've had a nomadic education.
Vocabulary lists containing nomadic
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Mesopotamia - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It’s a home — it’s furnished, you have a kitchen, you’re going grocery shopping, you’re doing what the locals do,” said Matt Kepnes, who runs the travel site Nomadic Matt.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026
In “Excerpts & Fragments,” the new exhibition presented by Los Angeles Nomadic Division, artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya examines life’s fragments through the three modalities of his practice: zines, books and photographs.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025
Belfast watchmaker Nomadic makes 22% of its sales in the US.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2025
Nomadic no more, they have found stillness and stability in a small zendo, or mediation hall, tucked on the edge of two neighborhoods in Alaska’s most populous city and epicenter of urban culture.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 7, 2022
Nomadic life seemed to agree with the cat.
From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
