meander
verb/noun C2
Plain meaning
to move or develop slowly without a clear direction
Exam-register meaning
to follow a winding, indirect, or unfocused course in movement, argument, or narrative
In context
naturalWe let the conversation meander from films to politics.
examThe essay meanders in the middle section and loses argumentative focus.
Common collocations
river meandersconversation meandersargument meanders
Watch out
Meander is not simply “walk”; it suggests wandering without a straight route.
Word family
meandering (adjective/noun)