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

379 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

331 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

189 2.5

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

emphasises aimless movement with occasional searching rather than only casual walking

R

to roll

vsto rove

100 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

S

to stray

vsto rove

70 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

R

to range

vsto rove

25 3.3

To move or travel freely over an area

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

T

to tramp

vsto rove

17 5.5

To walk with heavy steps, often over rough ground

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

R

to ramble

vsto rove

14 4.4

To walk for pleasure without a fixed route

focuses more on searching or seeking rather than pleasure

W

to walk about

vsto rove

• UK

8 3.1

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

adds that actions often involve searching rather than merely wandering

T

to traipse

vsto rove

8 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

T

to traipse around

vsto rove

• Informal

4 6.9

To walk around without a clear purpose

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

G

to gad about

vsto rove

• UK

3 9.0

To move around places for pleasure without a plan

shares aimlessness but stresses searching or travelling rather than pleasure trips

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

T

to tool around

vsto rove

• Informal

2 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

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

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

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

M

to maunder

vsto rove

• UK

9.9

To walk slowly without a clear purpose

shares aimlessness but implies intentional searching or travel rather than vagueness

Antonyms

S

to settle

463 2.5

To live in a place, often for a long time

S

to stay put

• Informal

133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

Compounds

R

rove beetle

• Specialized

8.7

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

How Aimless

to rove

22 6.4

to wander

379 1.3

to range

25 3.3

to stroll

122 1.8

Surface Forms

Etymology