Dictionary.com

ramble

[ ram-buhl ]
/ ˈræm bəl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: ramble / rambling on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object), ram·bled, ram·bling.
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.
verb (used with object), ram·bled, ram·bling.
to walk aimlessly or idly over or through: They spent the spring afternoon rambling woodland paths.
noun
a walk without a definite route, taken merely for pleasure.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ramble

First recorded in 1610–20; origin uncertain

synonym study for ramble

1. See roam.

Words nearby ramble

Ramat Gan, Ramayana, Ramazan, Rambert, rambla, ramble, ramble on, rambler, rambling, Rambo, Ramboesque
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to ramble

amble, digress, meander, roam, saunter, straggle, stroll, traipse, zigzag, babble, wander, constitutional, excursion, hike, perambulation, peregrination, roving, tour, trip, turn

How to use ramble in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ramble

ramble
/ (ˈræmbəl) /
verb (intr)
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
noun
a leisurely stroll, esp in the countryside

Word Origin for ramble

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
FEEDBACK