Showing results for "rove"

• past tense form of reeve.

rove

¹ American  

[rohv] / roʊv /

verb (used without object)

roved, roving

1. to wander about without definite destination; move hither and thither at random, especially over a wide area.

   Synonyms:

   stray, amble, stroll

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verb (used with object)

roved, roving

1. to wander over or through; traverse.

   to rove the woods.

noun

1. an act or instance of roving.

rove ² American  

[rohv] / roʊv /

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of reeve.

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rove ³ American  

[rohv] / roʊv /

verb (used with object)

roved, roving

1. to form (slivers of wool, cotton, etc.) into slightly twisted strands in a preparatory process of spinning.

2. to draw fibers or the like through an eye or other small opening.

3. to attenuate, compress, and twist slightly in carding.

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noun

1. British. roving.

rove ¹ British  

/ rəʊv /

verb

1. to wander about (a place) with no fixed direction; roam

2. (intr) (of the eyes) to look around; wander

3. to show a widespread amorous interest in the opposite sex

4. (intr) Australian rules football to play as a rover

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noun

1. the act of roving

rove ² British  

/ rəʊv /

verb

1. (tr) to pull out and twist (fibres of wool, cotton, etc) lightly, as before spinning or in carding

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noun

1. wool, cotton, etc, thus prepared

rove ³ British  

/ rəʊv /

noun

1. a metal plate through which a rivet is passed and then clenched over

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rove ⁴ British  

/ rəʊv /

verb

1. a past tense and past participle of reeve 2

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Synonym Usage

See roam.

Etymology

Origin of rove¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; originally, “to shoot at a random target”; perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse rāfa “to stray”; but compare also Old French raver “to roam”

Origin of rove³

First recorded in 1690–1700; of obscure origin

Explanation

To rove is to wander around, often aimlessly. You may like to rove at work or school, but chances are you’ve probably got somewhere you’re supposed to be. Roving can be a way of life. Someone who roves may not have a permanent home, and they may wander from town to town in search of food or work. Rove can also refer to other types of wandering. A roving reporter wanders the streets looking for people to interview. At a crowded party, your eyes might rove around the room as you look for someone you know — or someone you’d like to meet. And, as you fall asleep, your mind might rove over the events of the day.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rove roved roving

Its species name honors Dr. Harald Schillhammer of the Natural History Museum Vienna for his extensive and outstanding contributions to rove beetle research.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

In a paper published in the journal “Cell,” they break down the remarkable ability of one species of rove beetle to live among the typically combative ants.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026

In the Mournes, Mr Fisher said rove beetles and other insects "support the skylarks and the meadow pipits that come from the lowlands to nest up in the uplands during this time of year".

From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2025

In response, Metro says it transferred pairs of security guards from elsewhere to rove the H Line, which connects downtown to Burien, “for the foreseeable future,” spokesperson Al Sanders said.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 6, 2023

She turns, and her blue eyes rove over Scoob’s face in a way they never have before.

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone

For the next two hours, Stringer roved the room, pausing to sharpen pencils or praise participants’ designs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2025

He roved the stage and gestured frequently, and, like the others he got a standing ovation but didn't hang around long to soak it up, heading for the wings after just 30 seconds.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2024

Throughout campus, private security vehicles positioned themselves in well-traveled areas and roved the streets as part of the university’s pledge to maintain a stepped-up presence for students’ arrival.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 11, 2023

I sat alone on my couch in Columbia, S.C.; my three sons roved around me.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 2, 2022

I roved around peeling up mats of old newspaper and looking under chairs and tables.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Yet investors are unlikely to care about Demand Progress’ roving billboards in Washington.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

In Belfast itself, local communities have gathered en masse to support their immigrant neighbors, whether by hiding them from roving mobs or raising money to repair their homes and businesses.

From Slate ● Jun. 15, 2026

In Orlando, there was further evidence that Tuchel has effectively given Kane a roving commission to link, create and score – all tasks he performs superbly.

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026

The company this week rolled out ads touting mobile service, where roving technicians, equipped with special service vans, travel to wherever customers are and perform diagnostics, maintenance and some repairs on site.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

Kids banding together and roving the countryside, trying to avoid getting caught, taking care of one another?

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken