wayfarer

noun

way·​far·​er ˈwā-ˌfer-ər How to pronounce wayfarer (audio)
: a traveler especially on foot
wayfaring adjective

Examples of wayfarer in a Sentence

one of the great wayfarers of American folklore, Johnny Appleseed wandered across the country, always planting apple seeds
Recent Examples on the Web Knee-high, eroded Jizo statues that resembled children — often cloaked in red bibs — peppered the trail to ward off evil and safeguard wayfarers like me. Norma Meyer, Orange County Register, 15 May 2024 And, of course, indigenous Polynesian wayfarers used star compasses to navigate the seas, reading the night sky to set their course. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024 But the magic of the Disney musical adventure is in the friendship between Maui and teenage wayfarer Moana (Cravalho), which brings out the big guy's sizable heart on a fantastic voyage that involves cannibal coconuts and a glam crab as well as self-discovery and redemption. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2021 Svaneti's alpine summers reel in many a wayfarer looking to conquer the web of trails through old-fangled villages with breathtaking scenery of crumbling churches, flowery meadows and the wide open frontier of the Caucasus Mountains. Melanie Hamilton, CNN, 16 Dec. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wayfarer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English weyfarere, from wey, way way + -farere traveler, from faren to go — more at fare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wayfarer was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near wayfarer

Cite this Entry

“Wayfarer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wayfarer. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

wayfarer

noun
way·​far·​er ˈwā-ˌfar-ər How to pronounce wayfarer (audio)
-ˌfer-
: a traveler especially on foot
wayfaring
-ˌfar-iŋ How to pronounce wayfarer (audio)
-ˌfer-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on wayfarer

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