Wanderjahr

[ vahn-duhr-yahr ]

/ ˈvɑn dərˌyɑr /

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noun, plural Wan·der·jah·re

[vahn-duhr-yah-ruh]. /ˈvɑn dərˌyɑ rə/. German.

a year or period of travel, especially following one's schooling and before practicing a profession.

(formerly) a year in which an apprentice traveled and improved his skills before settling down to the practice of his trade.

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Origin of Wanderjahr

First recorded in 1890–95; German: literally, “wander year”; see origin at wander, year

Words nearby Wanderjahr

wander, Wanderer, wandering, wandering albatross, Wandering Jew, Wanderjahr, wanderlust, wanderoo, wander plug, wanderwort, w. & f.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Wanderjahr in a sentence

Perchance, my Wanderjahr has not arrived, but you cannot wait for that.
The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume VI, Familiar Letters|Henry David Thoreau
I am reading the "Wanderjahr," having finished the "Lehrjahr."
Records of Later Life|Frances Ann Kemble
After leaving Russia the young poet spent the rest of his Wanderjahr in Italy.
Life of Robert Browning|William Sharp
A Wanderjahr for the working-man would do much to cement the unity of western civilization.
The Unity of Civilization|Various

After the University and after my wanderjahr, I thought it would be another easy task to come here, and 'learn the business.'
The Return of Peter Grimm|David Belasco

British Dictionary definitions for Wanderjahr

Wanderjahr

/ German (ˈvandərjaːr) /

noun plural -jahre (-jaːrə)

(formerly) a year in which an apprentice travelled to improve his skills

Word Origin for Wanderjahr

German, literally: wander year

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