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
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100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
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Mesopotamia - Introductory
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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.
It has felt like being a "nomadic tribe moving from one place to another", Uttam added, as they stayed with friends at first then relocated to a local hotel.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
“Being nomadic is in my nature, so my inclination is to say yes to new adventures,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
Once they’re capable of independent survival, Voisard said they become nomadic and explore for the first five years of their life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026
The nomadic Fulani and Tuareg communities have been particularly targeted, often accused of links to jihadists or separatists.
From Barron's ● May 19, 2026
For a few weeks the packs stay at this den; then they leave and take up the nomadic winter life of the wolf.
From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George
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.
