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Word of the Day

Friday, January 3, 2025

wanderlust

/ˈwändərˌləst/noun

A strong desire to travel and explore the world; an irresistible urge to wander or travel.

Etymology

Borrowed from German "Wanderlust," literally "desire to hike" or "desire to wander," from "wandern" (to wander) + "Lust" (desire, pleasure). The word entered English in the early 20th century.

Usage Examples

  1. "After years of office work, her wanderlust finally got the best of her, and she quit to travel through Southeast Asia."

  2. "The documentary awakened his wanderlust - suddenly, he wanted to see every corner of the globe."

  3. "Her Instagram feed was full of mountain vistas and ocean sunsets, clearly reflecting her wanderlust spirit."

Synonyms

  • Travel bug
  • Restlessness
  • Itchy feet (informal)
  • Nomadic spirit

Fun Facts

  • While "wanderlust" is borrowed from German, the concept exists in many cultures with different names.
  • Psychologists suggest that wanderlust may be linked to a specific gene variant (DRD4-7R) associated with curiosity and restlessness.
  • The rise of social media has been linked to increased wanderlust, as people are constantly exposed to beautiful travel destinations.

Related Terms

  • Fernweh (German): "Distance-pain" - homesickness for a place you've never been
  • Solivagant: A person who wanders alone
  • Vagabond: A person who wanders from place to place
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