ramble

[ram-buh l] /ˈræm bəl/
verb (used without object), rambled, rambling.
1.
to wander around in a leisurely, aimless manner:
They rambled through the shops until closing time.
2.
to take a course with many turns or windings, as a stream or path.
3.
to grow in a random, unsystematic fashion:
The vine rambled over the walls and tree trunks.
4.
to talk or write in a discursive, aimless way (usually followed by on):
The speaker rambled on with anecdote after anecdote.
verb (used with object), rambled, rambling.
5.
to walk aimlessly or idly over or through:
They spent the spring afternoon rambling woodland paths.
noun
6.
a walk without a definite route, taken merely for pleasure.
Origin
1610-20; origin uncertain
Synonyms
1. stroll, saunter, amble, stray, straggle. See roam.
Examples from the web for ramble
  • If you don't enforce the time limit, they won't practice for it, and they'll ramble on forever.
  • In other words: the perfect setting for an off-asphalt ramble.
  • But his impressionistic ramble through his homeland is indeed telling.
  • Use this tough vine to climb up ramadas and pergolas, or train it to ramble over fences.
  • Sorry for the ramble, but populist means for the people.
  • During his ramble awaiting the noon hour, he has a surprising encounter.
  • ramble around grounds, across the stone bridge to the quiet garden gazebo or past the pastures with walking horses.
  • Sturdy shoes, protective clothing, extra water and walking sticks are useful on an off-the-beaten-track ramble.
  • Most people falter on this question because they have a tendency to be undisciplined, unfocused and ramble.
  • She skipped around, attending to a segment here and a ramble there-with a number of layoffs when she visited friends and family.
British Dictionary definitions for ramble

ramble

/ˈræmbəl/
verb (intransitive)
1.
to stroll about freely, as for relaxation, with no particular direction
2.
(of paths, streams, etc) to follow a winding course; meander
3.
(of plants) to grow in a random fashion
4.
(of speech, writing, etc) to lack organization
noun
5.
a leisurely stroll, esp in the countryside
Word Origin
C17: probably related to Middle Dutch rammelen to roam (of animals); see ram
Word Origin and History for ramble
v.

mid-15c., perhaps frequentative of romen "to walk, go" (see roam), perhaps via romblen (late 14c.) "to ramble." The vowel change perhaps by influence of Middle Dutch rammelen, a derivative of rammen "copulate," "used of the night wanderings of the amorous cat" [Weekley]. Meaning "to talk or write incoherently" is from 1630s. Related: Rambled; rambling.

n.

"a roving or wandering," 1650s, from ramble (v.).