peripatetic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'peripatetic' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which means wandering or traveling from place to place, usually on foot. You can use it when referring to a person or a thing, such as an idea, that moves from one place to another. Example sentence: The peripatetic peddler traveled around the countryside selling wares from town to town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She feels she grew up with no fixed abode, had a theatrical, peripatetic childhood.

The Guardian

Elite managers, who are these days often Spanish or Italian, are peripatetic experts more management consultants than chief executives.

The Economist

The star of television talk-shows and of literary parties, the peripatetic former East German spymaster has slipped into his latest and probably most lucrative role as autobiographer.

The Economist

On display at the Iraqi Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale, Mr Siti's works convey an intimacy with this region the river, the mountains that belies the peripatetic life he has led.

The Economist

And it will boast novel features, such as an integrated kickstand that props it upright and a detachable magnetic cover that doubles as a keyboard.Microsoft thinks that the new tablet, which will also come with the firm's Office suite of productivity tools, is bound to appeal to peripatetic business folk who want a tablet that can double as a PC wherever they are.

The Economist

She radiates continental European chic, clinking with bold silver jewellery that offers a sort of travelogue of her peripatetic working life.

The Economist

The WHO has followed suit, placing a vaccinator with a coolbox at every possible roadblock to catch peripatetic children.

The Economist

But the succession issue raises tricky questions for the DPJ and not just because the peripatetic Mr Ozawa has made a career of tearing political parties asunder.

The Economist

Add in the various vast firms, such as Du Pont and General Motors, on whose boards Mr Barnevik now sits, and the peripatetic Swede is working with a total payroll of 1.5m people and a total turnover of roughly SKr2.5 trillion $320 billionn), half as much again as the GDP of Sweden.Investor looks like the trickiest challenge of Mr Barnevik's career.

The Economist

The company's recent evolution from uptown mainstay to peripatetic organisation was similarly tumultuous.

The Economist

But as he has done before, on February 6th the peripatetic Fatah leader and Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, smiled for the cameras alongside Khalid Meshal, the exiled leader of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement that runs Gaza, and promised reconciliation once again.Back home others pondered how to spoil the deal.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peripatetic" to describe individuals or organizations that move frequently from place to place, especially when emphasizing a lack of fixed location or a connection to Aristotelian philosophy.

Common error

Avoid using "peripatetic" simply to mean "traveling". The term implies a more profound sense of itinerancy or a historical connection to Aristotelian philosophy. Choose a simpler word if those nuances are absent.

Linguistic Context

The word "peripatetic" primarily functions as an adjective. It describes something or someone that travels from place to place, or it relates to the Aristotelian school of philosophy. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in describing both lifestyles and philosophical concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peripatetic" is an adjective primarily used to describe someone or something that travels from place to place, or to refer to Aristotelian philosophy. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While synonyms like "itinerant" and "nomadic" exist, "peripatetic" carries a specific nuance related to constant movement or Aristotelian thought, making it a valuable term for precise communication. Use it to add depth and historical context to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

itinerant

Focuses on traveling from place to place, especially working or based in various places for relatively short periods.

nomadic

Emphasizes a wandering lifestyle, often without a fixed home.

wandering

Highlights aimless movement, often without a specific destination.

traveling

A general term for moving from one place to another, lacking the historical or philosophical connotations.

roaming

Implies moving around a wide area, often without a clear purpose.

migratory

Relates to seasonal movement, often of animals or groups of people.

ambulatory

Focuses on the ability to walk or move around.

Aristotelian

Specifically refers to the philosophy or followers of Aristotle.

wayfaring

Highlights the act of traveling, particularly on foot.

restless

Suggests an inability to stay in one place, driven by unease or boredom.

FAQs

How do you use "peripatetic" in a sentence?

You can use "peripatetic" to describe someone who travels from place to place, like "The "peripatetic salesman" was always on the road" or to describe something relating to Aristotle, such as "peripatetic philosophy".

What's a good synonym for "peripatetic"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "itinerant", "nomadic", or "wandering". Each word emphasizes a slightly different aspect of movement and travel.

Is it correct to describe a company as "peripatetic"?

Yes, you can describe a company as "peripatetic" if it frequently moves its operations or staff from one location to another. For example, "The "peripatetic organization" lacked a central office."

What is the origin of the word "peripatetic"?

The word "peripatetic" comes from the Greek word "peripatetikos", referring to Aristotle's habit of walking around while teaching his students. Thus it can also refer to Aristotelian philosophy.