nomadic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- nomadically adverb
- nonnomadic adjective
- nonnomadically adverb
- seminomadic adjective
- seminomadically adverb
- unnomadic adjective
- unnomadically adverb
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.
Hodgson is a widely respected figure within football after a nomadic career that brought successes - but also failure in his two most high-profile posts, as England manager and before that at Liverpool.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
Just as the start of our nomadic life was years in the making, so was its ending.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
Tudor's unique selling point in a chequered, nomadic coach career was supposedly his ability to provide an instant spark of impact.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
These movements helped shape the rise of nomadic cultures and early empires.
From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 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.
