wanderlust
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of wanderlust
First recorded in 1850–55; from German, from wander(n) “to wander” ( see wander) + Lust “desire” ( see lust)
Explanation
A strong desire to travel is called wanderlust. If you dream of backpacking through Europe and then taking a quick spin through southeast Asia, you have wanderlust. The Germans call the strong urge for travel wanderlust, literally a desire for wandering. We loved the German efficiency of the word so much we annexed it for our own language. With a word like lust inside it, wanderlust really captures the dreamy passion travelers all share. Sometimes the word is also used for people who can't make a commitment to a job or a relationship.
Vocabulary lists containing wanderlust
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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 boy was never to return home; wanderlust was bred into him early.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Before, the wanderlust was overtaking my desire to be in one place.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025
It encouraged wanderlust as Sal and Dean traveled across the country, indulging in their freedoms and desires with almost reckless abandon.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2025
Watts's main advice for readers with a similar wanderlust is to consider travelling further afield.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2025
Back when she had curiosity and wanderlust and the inclination to go to the other side of the world and back in a single afternoon.
From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
