traveler
Americannoun
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a person or thing that travels.
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a person who travels or has traveled in distant places or foreign lands.
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part of a mechanism constructed to move in a fixed course.
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Textiles. (in ring spinning) a small metal device that moves rapidly around the ring and guides the yarn onto the revolving bobbin.
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Nautical.
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a metal ring or thimble fitted to move freely on a rope, spar, or rod.
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Also called horse. the rope, spar, or rod itself.
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Theater. Also traveler curtain. a transverse curtain opened by being drawn from both sides of the proscenium.
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(often initial capital letter) a member of any of a number of traditionally itinerant peoples of the British Isles and other English-speaking areas, including, in addition to people of Romani origin, Indigenous groups such as the speakers of Shelta.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of traveler
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English travaillour; see travel, -er 1
Explanation
If you take frequent trips across the country or around the world, you are a traveler. Take a plane to Mexico, and all the other passengers are travelers, just like you. Some people travel often, for work or fun, and they are travelers. Even if you're leaving your hometown for the very first time, you're considered a traveler while you are traveling. The trick to this word is that it sounds like it should have two Ls (and in Canada and the U.K., it's spelled traveller), but in the U.S. there's only one.
Vocabulary lists containing traveler
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.
“The best-case scenario is that other airlines step up to fill the void in an effort to carry some of these passengers,” said Kyle Potter, executive editor at deals website Thrifty Traveler.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
Uribe enrolled her parents on the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
Eric Rosen, director of travel content for The Points Guy, says TSA PreCheck members should make sure their Known Traveler Numbers are attached to their reservations for faster security processing.
From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026
U.S. legislators are also urging anyone traveling in Mexico to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which helps the State Department contact U.S. residents abroad during emergencies.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026
“So,” Traveler said when it was just us.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
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.
