rambling
adjective
ram·bling
ˈram-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
: proceeding without a specific goal, purpose, or direction: such as
a
: wandering about from one place to another
a rambling walk
b
: straying from subject to subject
a rambling essay/discussion/discourse
a rambling talker
His text is at times repetitious and rambling.—
Robert Howard
Robert Howard
c
: stretching, spreading, or growing in a winding or irregular way
a rambling stream
rambling roses
2
: large and informally designed
a rambling farmhouse
… blue-tinged shots give the sinister prison … the air of a rambling edifice out of Dickens.—Celia Wren
Celia Wren
ramblingly
adverb
a ramblingly told story
Examples of rambling in a Sentence
I listened patiently to Mrs. Parsifal's rambling reminiscences, though I had no idea who "Dorothy" and "the stepson" were
the new minister gives rambling sermons that, if they have a point, are lost on the congregation, which invariably falls asleep
Recent Examples on the Web
Honeysuckle The warm, heady, floral scent of honeysuckle, which is strongest at dusk, is instantly recognizable, and the romantically rambling vines and tubular blooms make the climbing varieties cottage-garden classics.
—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
22 June 2026
Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords.
—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
19 June 2026
Blackened with volcanic rock and encircled by towering waves, the tumultuous scenery makes a vivid psychic landscape for So Help Me God, a rambling spell of ’70s-era soul and exuberant orchestral folk-pop that sweeps through the fog of heartbreak and the clarity of self-discovery.
—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Lady Banks’ rose (Rosa banksiae) is a large, rambling rose that can quickly grow up to 20 feet long.
—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2026
While Markey, who gave a long and rambling acceptance speech at the Democrat Party convention, which endorsed him, made no mention of Platner.
—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2026
Spinella shucks off sentimentality, always showing us Con’s offhand humor and sometimes nervous, defensive rambling.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Carnivores shouldn’t miss out on Peter upstairs—a rambling dining venue perched on the 24th floor, high above the rooms, that looks like a glitzy Vegas club complete with purple accents and ethereal, Avatar-esque light sculptures.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Advertisement In a lengthy and rambling video posted on social media, C+C Music Factory frontman Freedom Williams said he had initially been inclined to back out of the booking amid the backlash but is considering performing anyway out of spite toward those who criticized him for participating.
—
Chad De Guzman,
Time,
29 May 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
22 June 2026
Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords.
—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
19 June 2026
Blackened with volcanic rock and encircled by towering waves, the tumultuous scenery makes a vivid psychic landscape for So Help Me God, a rambling spell of ’70s-era soul and exuberant orchestral folk-pop that sweeps through the fog of heartbreak and the clarity of self-discovery.
—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Lady Banks’ rose (Rosa banksiae) is a large, rambling rose that can quickly grow up to 20 feet long.
—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2026
While Markey, who gave a long and rambling acceptance speech at the Democrat Party convention, which endorsed him, made no mention of Platner.
—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2026
Spinella shucks off sentimentality, always showing us Con’s offhand humor and sometimes nervous, defensive rambling.
—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Carnivores shouldn’t miss out on Peter upstairs—a rambling dining venue perched on the 24th floor, high above the rooms, that looks like a glitzy Vegas club complete with purple accents and ethereal, Avatar-esque light sculptures.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Advertisement In a lengthy and rambling video posted on social media, C+C Music Factory frontman Freedom Williams said he had initially been inclined to back out of the booking amid the backlash but is considering performing anyway out of spite toward those who criticized him for participating.
—
Chad De Guzman,
Time,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rambling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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