meander

¹

[mee-an-der]

verb (used without object)

1. to proceed by or take a winding or indirect course.

   The stream meandered through the valley.

   Synonyms: coil, snake, twist, wind, wander

2. to wander aimlessly; ramble.

   The talk meandered on.

verb (used with object)

1. Surveying.,  to define the margin of (a body of water) with a meander line.

noun

1. Usually meanders. turnings or windings; a winding path or course.

2. a circuitous movement or journey.

3. an intricate variety of fret or fretwork.

Meander

²

[mee-an-der]

noun

1. ancient name of the Menderes.

Meander

¹

/ miːˈændə /

noun

1. a variant spelling of Maeander

meander

²

/ mɪˈændə /

verb

1. to follow a winding course

2. to wander without definite aim or direction

noun

1. (often plural) a curve or bend, as in a river

2. (often plural) a winding course or movement

3. an ornamental pattern, esp as used in ancient Greek architecture

meander

1. A sinuous curve, bend, or loop along the course of a stream or river.

Other Word Forms

• meanderer noun
• meanderingly adverb
• meandering adjective
• meandrous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meander¹

1570–80; < Latin maeander < Greek maíandros a winding, special use of Maíandros, the Menderes River, noted for its winding course

Word History and Origins

Origin of meander¹

C16: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros the River Maeander; see _Menderes (sense 1)

Example Sentences

They silently changed out the cat food in front of Building L, then meandered toward the dumpster to get rid of the empty cans.

Read more on Literature

It’s artfully constructed, the kind of meandering where everything has a purpose.

Read more on Salon

But for the audience, those sentiments more accurately reflect Ramsay’s film, a slow burn that exhausts its welcome and dies in a blaze after losing its grip on a meandering narrative.

Read more on Salon

Their conversation meanders—she’d like to see a show he has up—and then concludes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And as I stroll along the promenade on a chilly autumn morning I'm aware of the dozens of other people also meandering in their own world, each with their own special link to this place.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• drift 
• ramble 
• roam 
• snake 
• stray 
• stroll 
• traipse