rambled; rambling
ˈram-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to move aimlessly from place to place
rambled through the little town
b
: to explore idly
After one rambles through the maps for a time … some overall impressions begin to emerge.—
John Noble Wilford
John Noble Wilford2
a
: to talk or write in an aimless, erratic, and often long-winded fashion
The hunk starts to ramble on and on, and the women seem quite annoyed.—Monk Magazine
Monk Magazine
b
: to be related or written in a long-winded or wandering fashion
a story that rambles
3
: to grow or extend irregularly
To me, pea greens are the culinary equivalent of morning glories, sprouting overnight, rambling here and there, turning the grower into a shepherd, at least for the duration.—Molly O'Neill
Molly O'Neill
: to wander over : roam
1
: a leisurely excursion for pleasure
especially
: an aimless walk
2
: a rambling story or discussion
Synonyms
Examples of ramble in a Sentence
Verb
She rambled for several minutes before introducing the main speaker.
He's funny, but he tends to ramble.
Noun
We went for a ramble along the beach.
He encountered many interesting people in his rambles in the country.
The first chapter is a 100-page ramble.
We had to listen to another one of his long rambles about politics and religion.
Recent Examples on the WebPaul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
In his rambling article, Ambrose builds upon his faulty conclusions and spouts off his various unrelated political judgments and false equivalencies.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
Inside the dim, rambling building—past rows piled with Persian rugs, hoop skirt frames and rolls of French velour—Yergason found his fellow clerks.
—Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
The bit wraps up with a rambling Lord’s Prayer in which Trump asks for us to be led into temptation and to have our automobills paid (a Destiny’s Child reference), in the name of the father, the son and the Easter Bunny.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Its strongest scenes follow the pair’s rambling conversations, conducted along city streets, or in ink-blue back-yard pools.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Critics have long maintained that the networks are relatively powerless to push back against a dissembling, rambling Trump as the cameras roll — even if an interview is taped.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Mar. 2024
Towel was key In an unusual move, Ewers took the witness stand on Wednesday, mostly rambling on about issues that had little to do with the crime.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024
Smaller ships like those that comprise UnCruise Adventures’ and Alaska Dream Cruises’ fleets can maneuver closer to the coastline for better views of bears rambling along the beaches and on-land excursions without another soul around.
—Susan B. Barnes, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024
Laura Beausire, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2023
There are miles of urban treks, ranging from multi-day hiking trails like the 62-mile Great Coastal Walk that links the city’s southern and northern edges, to informal neighborhood rambles.
—Callie Radke Stevens, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2023
Though they were not spotted during the royal ramble to Craithe Kirk on Sunday, the Duke and Duchess of York’s daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie reportedly arrived at Balmoral for the royal family’s annual retreat last week.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2023
Walks Around the World Find inspiration for both urban rambles and long-distance pilgrimages.
—Russell Shorto, New York Times, 19 June 2023
Diane Bair For a really special ramble, wander the Morris Island Trails of 7,604-acre Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/refuge/monomoy).
—Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, 11 May 2023
Her uncle said Ghost did this all the time — disappeared for a ramble out on the tundra for a week or two.
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Apr. 2023
The ramble culminated with an unexpected reveal for fans of the franchise.
—Anousha Sakoui, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2023
Jamie Lorriman/Pool Photo via AP Prince William has poured a pint of ale and taken a ride on the subway with his wife Kate as part of a royal ramble in central London before King Charles III’s coronation.
—Sylvia Hui, Fortune, 4 May 2023
Verb
The country seat of the aristocratic Miranda-Quirós family, a rambling rural property in the hamlet of Llanuces, was rescued from ruin by Madrid entrepreneur Carlos Díaz.
—Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
In his rambling article, Ambrose builds upon his faulty conclusions and spouts off his various unrelated political judgments and false equivalencies.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
Inside the dim, rambling building—past rows piled with Persian rugs, hoop skirt frames and rolls of French velour—Yergason found his fellow clerks.
—Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
The bit wraps up with a rambling Lord’s Prayer in which Trump asks for us to be led into temptation and to have our automobills paid (a Destiny’s Child reference), in the name of the father, the son and the Easter Bunny.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Its strongest scenes follow the pair’s rambling conversations, conducted along city streets, or in ink-blue back-yard pools.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Critics have long maintained that the networks are relatively powerless to push back against a dissembling, rambling Trump as the cameras roll — even if an interview is taped.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Mar. 2024
Towel was key In an unusual move, Ewers took the witness stand on Wednesday, mostly rambling on about issues that had little to do with the crime.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024
Smaller ships like those that comprise UnCruise Adventures’ and Alaska Dream Cruises’ fleets can maneuver closer to the coastline for better views of bears rambling along the beaches and on-land excursions without another soul around.
—Susan B. Barnes, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Nowadays, the trail offers a glorious roller-coaster ramble.
—Laura Beausire, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2023
There are miles of urban treks, ranging from multi-day hiking trails like the 62-mile Great Coastal Walk that links the city’s southern and northern edges, to informal neighborhood rambles.
—Callie Radke Stevens, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2023
Though they were not spotted during the royal ramble to Craithe Kirk on Sunday, the Duke and Duchess of York’s daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie reportedly arrived at Balmoral for the royal family’s annual retreat last week.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2023
Walks Around the World Find inspiration for both urban rambles and long-distance pilgrimages.
—Russell Shorto, New York Times, 19 June 2023
Diane Bair For a really special ramble, wander the Morris Island Trails of 7,604-acre Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/refuge/monomoy).
—Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, 11 May 2023
Her uncle said Ghost did this all the time — disappeared for a ramble out on the tundra for a week or two.
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Apr. 2023
The ramble culminated with an unexpected reveal for fans of the franchise.
—Anousha Sakoui, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2023
Jamie Lorriman/Pool Photo via AP Prince William has poured a pint of ale and taken a ride on the subway with his wife Kate as part of a royal ramble in central London before King Charles III’s coronation.
—Sylvia Hui, Fortune, 4 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ramble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ramble
Cite this Entry
“Ramble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ramble. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ramble
2 of 2 noun1
: a long stroll with no particular destination
2
: a rambling story or discussion
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share