ramble
[ram-buh l]
- to wander around in a leisurely, aimless manner: They rambled through the shops until closing time.
- to take a course with many turns or windings, as a stream or path.
- to grow in a random, unsystematic fashion: The vine rambled over the walls and tree trunks.
- to talk or write in a discursive, aimless way (usually followed by on): The speaker rambled on with anecdote after anecdote.
Show More
- to walk aimlessly or idly over or through: They spent the spring afternoon rambling woodland paths.
Show More
- a walk without a definite route, taken merely for pleasure.
Show More
Origin of ramble
First recorded in 1610–20; origin uncertain
Synonyms
See more synonyms for ramble on Thesaurus.com1. stroll, saunter, amble, stray, straggle. See roam.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
ramble
- to stroll about freely, as for relaxation, with no particular direction
- (of paths, streams, etc) to follow a winding course; meander
- (of plants) to grow in a random fashion
- (of speech, writing, etc) to lack organization
Show More
- a leisurely stroll, esp in the countryside
Show More
Word Origin
C17: probably related to Middle Dutch rammelen to roam (of animals); see ram
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for ramble on
ramble
v.
mid-15c., perhaps frequentative of romen "to walk, go" (see roam), perhaps via romblen (late 14c.) "to ramble." The vowel change perhaps by influence of Middle Dutch rammelen, a derivative of rammen "copulate," "used of the night wanderings of the amorous cat" [Weekley]. Meaning "to talk or write incoherently" is from 1630s. Related: Rambled; rambling.
Show More
ramble
n.
"a roving or wandering," 1650s, from ramble (v.).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with ramble on
ramble on
Speak or write at length and with many digressions, as in As the speaker rambled on for at least two hours, the audience became restless. This idiom was first recorded in 1710.
Show More
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.