ramble
/ˈramb(ə)l
/verb [no object]
1Walk for pleasure in the countryside: I spent most of my spare time rambling and climbing [with object]: as a boy I rambled the fells around Dent...
- Surely we should be able to walk our dogs or simply ramble along in safety and in peace to enjoy the views and healthy exercise?
- A man with a great fondness for the outdoor life, he loved to ramble in the countryside and experience the peace and quiet of the land.
- All your outdoor pursuits are catered for - whether you're rambling in the Republic or sauntering in the Six Counties.
Synonyms
walk, take a walk, go for a walk, hike, tramp, backpack, trek;
wander, stroll, saunter, amble, drift, roam, range, rove, traipse, jaunt;
Scottish & Irish stravaig
informal mosey, tootle
British informal pootle
rare vagabond, perambulate, peregrinate
2Talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential way: Willy rambled on about Norman archways...
- He rambled on rather inconsequentially for some time.
- Yesterday I rambled on at far too great a length about elections.
- Prodded to explain, she rambled on about balloons.
Synonyms
chatter, babble, prattle, prate, blather, blether, gabble, jabber, twitter, go on, run on, rattle on/away, blither, maunder, drivel
informal jaw, gas, gab, yak, yackety-yak, yabber, yatter, shoot one's mouth off
British informal witter, rabbit, chunter, natter, waffle
North American informal run off at the mouth
Australian/New Zealand informal mag
archaic twaddle, clack, twattle
3(Of a plant) put out long shoots and grow over walls or other plants: roses climbed, rambled, hung over walls...
- Patterns of olive leaves, golden scallop shells, and intricate pastel designs ramble over the walls.
- Climbing types reach 6 feet tall and can gracefully twine up fences and arbors, or ramble over the ground.
- Their lily-pad leaves and bright orange, yellow, or red flowers ramble over picket fences and along the ground.
noun
A walk taken for pleasure in the countryside.Based at 18 excellent country houses, they have a wide choice of walks from gentle rambles to adventure treks....
- This year, as well as the regular walks, it is also planned to introduce a countryside ramble which is aimed at anyone interested in a leisurely Sunday afternoon walk with a focus on the local environment.
- Other walks will also include rural rambles, a walk around the town centre, short strolls, hard moorland walks and family walks.
Synonyms
walk, hike, trek;
wander, stroll, saunter, amble, roam, traipse, jaunt, promenade, trip, excursion, tour
informal mosey, tootle
British informal pootle
rare perambulation, peregrination
Origin
Late Middle English (in sense 2 of the verb): probably related to Middle Dutch rammelen, used of animals in the sense 'wander about on heat', also to the noun ram.