to rove

Examples

• All

• The refreshment table? Her gaze roved over the crowded room as if seeking its location.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Buster's gaze was roving back and forth across the restaurant and patio.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Now, keep those eyes roving, boys.

  Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

• Or is your eye roving, without...

  You Are Here (2011)

• Young men with time to spare and a roving eye come to the theater in hundreds.

  Fiction book (1993)

• A good move, that, since he would be expected to keep his gaze roving over his customers.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Then he sat back, his breath coming in gasps, and his eyes roved over those books.

  Academic text (2007)

• As a runaway, he'd worked where he could, mostly as a roving farmhand.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Quoyle's own eyes roved to a water-stained engraving on the wall.

  Fiction book (2002)

• They spent the summer roving through national parks, looking for hidden waterfalls.

Synonyms

W

to wander

vsto rove

489 1.3

Move around without a fixed direction, often slowly and in curves

has similar aimlessness but stresses searching rather than relaxed pleasure

D

to drift

vsto rove

265 2.9

To move slowly without a clear direction, for example when air or water move something

implies self-directed wandering and searching rather than passive drifting

R

to roam

vsto rove

206 2.5

Move around without a fixed place, often while looking for something

emphasises aimless movement with occasional searching rather than only casual walking

S

to stray

vsto rove

75 2.8

To move away from the correct place or path and wander

is similar but more often involves roaming while possibly searching for something

T

to traipse

vsto rove

22 7.6

To walk around without a clear plan, often slowly and without much energy

implies more active movement and possible searching rather than low energy

R

to roll

vsto rove

18 2.0

To move from place to place without a fixed home or plan

matches the seeking aspect but is less focused on lively adventure tone

T

to tramp

vsto rove

14 5.5

To walk with heavy steps, often over rough ground

involves aimless travel but emphasises searching and light movement rather than heavy effort

W

to walk about

vsto rove

• UK

12 3.1

To move around a place on your feet without a clear purpose

adds that actions often involve searching rather than merely wandering

R

to range

vsto rove

7 3.3

To move or travel freely over an area

adds a stronger idea of searching or travel rather than simple area movement

R

to ramble

vsto rove

6 4.4

To walk for pleasure without a fixed route

focuses more on searching or seeking rather than pleasure

T

to traipse around

vsto rove

• Informal

5 6.9

To walk around without a clear purpose

suggests more purposeful searching or longer travel rather than low energy walking

T

to tool around

vsto rove

• Informal

5 7.7

Move around with no set place to go for fun

is about aimless travel too but often on foot and with searching intent

S

to swan

vsto rove

• Informal

3 7.9

To move around in a relaxed, aimless way without a fixed plan

leans more toward purposeful roaming or seeking rather than relaxed leisure

P

to potter around

vsto rove

• UK

1 6.5

To move around slowly doing small jobs in no hurry

keeps aimless travel but leans more toward active searching or roaming

G

to gad about

vsto rove

• UK

1 9.0

To move around places for pleasure without a plan

shares aimlessness but stresses searching or travelling rather than pleasure trips

F

to footle

vsto rove

• UK

1 9.9

Move around without a clear plan or purpose

shares aimlessness but often implies more active searching or travel

V

to vagabond

vsto rove

• Archaic

1 9.9

To move from place to place without a home

shares that search focus but is not marked as archaic or historical

M

to maunder

vsto rove

• UK

1 9.9

To walk slowly without a clear purpose

shares aimlessness but implies intentional searching or travel rather than vagueness

Antonyms

S

to stay put

• Informal

126 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

S

to settle

101 2.5

To live in a place, often for a long time

Compounds

R

rove beetle

• Specialized

1 8.7

A small active beetle with very short wing covers that eats pests

How Aimless

to rove

2 6.4

to wander

489 1.3

to range

7 3.3

to stroll

118 1.8

Surface Forms

Etymology