The Intrepid Guide

28 Beautiful Travel Words that Describe Wanderlust Perfectly

Travel words and wanderlust synonyms

Describe your travels with these unique and beautiful travel words from different languages around the world.

I love travelling and I love languages, so imagine my excitement when I came across a treasure trove of travel words and wanderlust synonyms that describe how we feel before, during, and after we travel. 

Just like a photo can’t fully capture what it feels like to stand on the edge of a fjord , neither can ‘wanderlust’ fully express how we feel when we crave our next adventure. These travel words are literary gems which have been gathered from languages around the world. From Japanese to Swedish , Latin to Greek , travel brochures of the future will be peppered with travel words like of resfeber , livsnjutare, and coddiwomple .

Wanderlust meaning

As you’ll see in the list below, every language has its own variation of how it explains and defines what wanderlust is. In English, wanderlust means to have a strong desire for or impulse to travel, wander and explore the world.

Learn a language from home

During these times it can be bittersweet to think about travelling when we have to stay at home and practice social distancing, let this list of wanderlust-filled words inspire you to a learn a language from home and prepare yourself for your next trip. Being travel fluent is the best way to enrich your travel experiences.

Without further ado, here are 28 beautiful travel words you should slip into your vocabulary. When you’re done, take and look at this collection of inspirational travel quotes . I’d love to hear which ones are your favourites in the comment section below.

1. Resfeber  (n.)

Origin: Swedish

Definition: The meaning of resfeber refers to the restless race of the traveller’s heart before the journey begins when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together.

It’s that moment just after you buy your plane tickets and excitement and fear floods in all at once, creating a mixture of emotions that make you feel anxious or physically ill.

Resfeber Tote Bag

For more inspiration, don’t miss my guide to cool gifts for language learners and the best travel accessories and travel gadgets here.

2. Sonder (v.)

Origin: Unknown

Definition: The realisation that each passerby is living a life as complex as your own.

The full definition, taken from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows reads:

[Sonder is] the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries, and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.

I often feel this way when I pass groups of strangers, speaking a language that is completely foreign to me, and realise just how incredibly big the world is. We all have a life that is full of different connections, memories and possibilities. That’s sonder.

The internet suggests this may not be a real word, either way, the concept is beautiful.

3. Solivagant (adj.)

Origin: Latin

Definition: Wandering alone. A solitary adventurer who travels or wanders the globe.

Not all those who wander are lost, but all those who wander alone are definitely solivagants . From the Latin word solivagus , meaning lonely or solitary, solivagant describes anyone who enjoys meandering around new countries, alone, in order to take it all in.

4. Fernweh (n.)

Origin: German

Definition: This German word,means an ache to get away and travel to a distant place, a feeling  even stronger than wanderlust. If wanderlust wasn’t poetic enough for you, allow me to present fernweh , a German word that literally translates to “distance-sickness.”

While someone with wanderlust might sit at home and happily fantasise about all the places they might visit, someone with fernweh would feel a deeper sense of longing, a sort of homesickness but for foreign lands.  For me, it’s wanting to be back in Rome . Fernweh is one of most those beautiful untranslatable words I’ve ever come across.

Carry this beautiful word with you with my Fernweh T-Shirt available in men’s and ladies styles and black or white. Buy it here.

Gifts for language learners and travellers - Fernweh T-Shirt

5. Sehnsucht (n.)

Definition: A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels past and future.

One author translated it as the “ inconsolable longing in the human heart for we know not what .” Another compared it to “ a longing for a far-off country, but not one which we could identify.”

When you return from travelling and wish you could do it all over again and experience every moment like it was the first.

Travel-Words-Sehnsucht

6. Eleutheromania (n.)

Origin: Greek

Definition: An intense and irresistible desire for freedom.

We all want to be free, and travelling shows us how the freedom in the lives of others that is different from our own. Eleutheromania describes a person who has a strong desire and obsession for freedom.

7. Cockaigne (n.)

Origin: French , Middle French

Definition: An imaginary land of luxury and idleness.

Every destination seem like a wonderland or cockaigne before you set foot there and see it for yourself.

The term c ockaigne ” comes from the Middle French phrase pais de cocaigne, which literally means “the land of plenty.” The word was first popularised in a 13th-century French poem that is known in English as “The Land of Cockaigne.”

8. Quaquaversal (adj.)

Definition: Moving or happening in every direction instantaneously.

This perfectly describes my state when I’m in a new place and want to see and do everything at once.

9. Dérive (n)

Origin: French

Definition: A spontaneous and unplanned journey where the traveller leaves their life behind allows themselves to be guided by the landscape and architecture.

Literally translated as “drift”,  dérive is the idea that even if you drift you will end up on the right path. This could describe life in general, but it also describes small journeys. When you’re wandering through a new city and you just happen to wander on a path that takes you to great discoveries.

Travel-Words-Derive

10. Ecophobia (n.)

Origin: English

Definition: This word came into English word via Greek and means a fear or dislike of one’s home.

I don’t dislike my home, but recently I can’t stop thinking about going back to Lofoten, Norway.

11. Numinous (adj.)

Definition: A powerful feeling of both fear and fascination, of being in awe and overwhelmed by what is before you.

Originally, this word refers to having a strong religious or spiritual quality; but it can also be used to describe how you feel when you see things that are so beautiful that you realise how wonderful the world is and the small part you play in it.   Hiking Trolltunga was a numinous moment for me.

12. Schwellenangst (n.)

Definition: Fear of crossing a threshold to begin a new chapter.

From s chwelle (“threshold”) and a ngst (“anxiety”), this word explains that feeling you get before deciding to set out on a new journey. Argh! Did I make the right decision?

13. Strikhedonia (n.)

Definition: The pleasure of being able to say “to hell with it”.

Another personal favourite word on this list. Not only is it the joy I feel, but the freedom to be able to say “to hell with it” and book that next trip and embark on your next adventure.

14. Vagary (v.)

Definition: A whimsical or roaming journey.

From Latin, vagārī meaning “ to roam”, is an unpredictable idea, desire or action to travelling without knowing the destination, and not caring.

15. Livsnjutare (n)

Definition: Literally meaning, “enjoyer of life”, this describes a person who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme.

If you’re reading this, that’s probably you!  Need more inspiration?

16. Commuovere (v.)

Origin: Italian

Definition: To stir, to touch, to move to tears.

Just like the euphoric emotions I felt whilst whale watching.

17. Sturmfrei (adj.)

Definition: The freedom of being alone and being able to do what you want.

Literally translating to “stormfree”, this describes the freedom of not being watched by others and being alone in a place where you have the freedom and ability to do what you want.

Another great German word. Travelling solo can be especially rewarding because you have complete control. No compromises, no one else to please. Just you and the big wide world.

18. Saudade (n.)

Origin: Portuguese

Definition: This Portuguese word describes the emotional state of nostalgia and longing for someone or something distant. S audade  was once described as “the love that remains” after someone is gone.

Saudade  is the recollection of feelings, experiences, places, or events that brought excitement and happiness but now triggers the senses and makes one live again.

19. Yūgen (n.)

Origin: Japanese

Definition: A profound and mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe.

An awareness of the Universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and powerful for words.

20. Acatalepsy (n.)

Definition: The impossibility of comprehending the universe.

Henry Miller said “ One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. ” Do we ever really understand the world and what we see on our  travels,  and how they mould us? Sometimes, if at all, it takes time to discover how these things change our lives.

21. Trouvaille (n.)

Definition: A chance encounter with something wonderful.

Whether it’s stumbling across a hidden back street, a quaint cafe, or connecting with a local, trouvaille describes those magical moments we experience in our journeys. 

22. Hygge (n.)

Origin: Danish

Definition: Pronounced hue-guh , hygge describes the warm feeling you get while enjoying the company of great friends and all life has to offer.

Hygge is the conscious appreciation of recognising everything you have and enjoying to the present moment.

23. Onism (n.)

Definition: The world is a big place as not everyone will get to see it. Onism describes understanding that we’ll never get to see it all. It’s the frustration of being stuck in just one body that can only inhabit one place at a time. I felt this way before going to Copenhagen !

Similar to the Swedish word ‘resfeber’, onism describes the feeling of knowing that you’ll never be able to see it all. They say that the more you travel, the harder it gets to stay in one place.

24. Novaturient (adj.)

Definition: A desire to change and alter your life.

This was exactly how I felt when I quit my job and moved to Rome . There was this strong urge that pulled me towards my dream of pursuing a life of speaking Italian and travelling. I knew I  wouldn’t be living my life if I didn’t go.

25. Yoko meshi (n.)

Definition: This untranslatable gem describes the stress of speaking a foreign language .

The Japanese word ‘meshi’ literally means ‘boiled rice’ and ‘yoko’ means ‘horizontal,’ together it means ‘a meal eaten sideways.’ The Japanese have created a beautiful way of describing the unique kind of stress you experience when speaking a foreign language. Furthermore, ‘yoko’ also references the fact that Japanese is normally written vertically, whereas most foreign languages are written horizontally. Clever, right?

Related: 69 Wonderful Japanese Expressions That Will Brighten Your Day

26. Selcouth (adj.)

Origin: Old English

Definition: When everything you see and experience is unfamiliar and strange, yet you find it marvellous anyway.

It’s that feeling you get when you travel to a foreign land and food, culture, customs, or language, is strange and different to everything you’ve experienced before, yet you love it and find it fascinating.

27. Eudaimonia (n.)

Definition: A state of being happy whilst travelling and everything feels great.

That intense excitement and appreciation when you travel and everything feels great. Seeing the Northern Lights was one of the best experiences of my life, a feeling I won’t forget.

28. Coddiwomple (v.)

Origin: English slang

Definition: To travel purposefully towards an unknown destination.

A brilliant word, coddiwomple is when you have a vague idea of your destination within a care for how long it takes to arrive. A great example is when you go hiking, you know you’ll eventually reach the summit, but every part of the trail along the way is just as beautiful.    Like the time I hiked Norway’s Trolltunga.

Travel Words Coddiwomple

If you enjoyed these words, then let wordsmiths Stephen King, Mark Twain and the Dalai Lama transport you around the world with these inspirational travel quotes or start using some of the beautiful untranslatable words from other languages.

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Over to you!

Which one of these travel words do you identify with the most? What others would you add? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

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travel for fun synonyms

Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

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124 inspirational travel quotes that’ll make you want to travel in 2022, 12 comments.

travel for fun synonyms

Amazing list! One word I’d add is the Dutch word “gezellig” or “gezelligheid” – similarly to hygge, it describes a feeling of warmth/comfort/coziness/quaintness in certain settings or around certain people.

Thank you so much for sharing this Heba. So interesting to learn that Dutch has a similar word :)

travel for fun synonyms

This is such a fun article! Love these words and phrases!

Glad to hear it! Thank you so much, Eric :)

travel for fun synonyms

So many of these describe me or my feelings about seeing the world. But, if I had to pick one, the one that best describes how I choose my destinations would be “selcouth”. I so want to be a stranger in a strange land. To have my belief that there is no such thing as “normal” affirmed again and again and over again.

What a beautiful word. Thanks for sharing, Janet :)

travel for fun synonyms

Thanks Michele what a wonderful list of inspirational words. It nearly made me cry as I realised that I suffer from acute eleutheromania! ha

Thanks Juliana :) I’m so glad you enjoyed this list. Eleutheromania? I know how you feel hehe

travel for fun synonyms

Unique list i must say – If you want to add one more word than check this !

In Hindi language (India) traveler called as “Musafir”

thanks Niraj :)

travel for fun synonyms

Thanks for sharing this! Really enjoyed it a lot ❤

Thanks Donah, I’m so glad you enjoyed it ;)

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14 Awesome Travel Words You’ve Never Heard

Home » Blog » Travel » 14 Awesome Travel Words You’ve Never Heard

Traveling can make even the best storyteller speechless. Get ready for a little vocab lesson where you’ll learn some travel words that describe your wanderlusting perfectly. Guaranteed you’ll wish there was an English equivalent!

14 Awesome Travel Words You've Never Heard

Have you ever tried to explain a travel experience and been at a loss for words?

Travel does that to us – it entangles us in its beauty, makes us feel a myriad of emotions we’ve never yet felt, and leaves us speechless and yearning for more. 

Lucky for us, there are some travel words that describe these beautiful achings perfectly. The thing is, they are words with no English equivalent. 

We had lots of fun pairing some of our favorite travel photos with definitions we think fit what we were feeling. So get ready to add some foreign words to your arsenal in this little travel vocab lesson!

1. Resfeber

Definition: The nervous feeling you get before a journey.

Yes, there’s a name for those jittery butterflies that flutter through your stomach as you pack your bags .

Resfeber Awesome Travel Words

2. Eleutheromania

Definition: An intense and irresistible desire for freedom.

Let’s be real, whether your traveling to NYC , Iceland or Tokyo , who doesn’t have this feeling?

Eleutheromania Awesome Travel Words

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Definition: Feeling homesick for a place you’ve never been.

I love this word because it puts a name to a feeling I’ve never before been able to describe. 

Psst! Looking for your next travel destination ?? We’ve got you covered!

Fernweh Awesome Travel Words

4. Trouvaille

Definition: Something lovely discovered by chance.

Such a pretty word and such a beautiful idea.  I don’t know about you, but I hear a sexy French accent in my mind.

Trouvaille Awesome Travel Words

Travel Photography Tip: If you’re curious how we got these photos, we used a lot (if not all) of our 32 Easy & Creative Travel Photography Tips to make these shots happen. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, these tips will help you take incredible pictures!

Definition: The cozy feeling of relaxing with friends while having a meal or drinks.

I need this word in my life. Every day. 

Hygge Awesome Travel Words

Feeling the wanderlust yet?! I know I am! Here’s a great place to start planning a trip …

Definition: The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

If we take the time to consider that each person in this world is living a life as important as our own, this world will be a much brighter place.

Sonder Awesome Travel Words

Definition: The awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience. 

How many lifetimes would it take to visit the every single place you’ve ever dreamed of? For me, it would take hundreds of lifetimes. I guess I’ll have to settle for just this one, and make the most of it!

Onism Awesome Travel Words

8. Livsnjutare

Definition: One who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme.

Always strive to be this type of person. Does it matter that you can’t pronounce it? Nope, just be it.

Livsnjutare Awesome Travel Words

9. Waldeinsamkeit

Definition: The feeling of being alone in the woods.

This word brings to mind images of Hansel and Gretel wandering through the tangled paths of the Black Forest. Light streams through the thick trees, and the crisp air is scented with pine. Dreamy isn’t it? Walk alone in the woods and you might channel your inner fairy tale. 

Waldeinsamkeit Awesome Travel Words

Definition: Putting a part of yourself into what you’re doing. 

Whether you are a cook, an artist, an athlete – or hell, even an accountant – do your work with your whole heart. This word really resonated with us during the summer of 2020 while we were hard at work pouring our souls into Van Conversion Academy . 

Meraki Awesome Travel Words

11. Numinous

Definition: The powerful, personal feeling of being overwhelmed and inspired.

What stirs this emotion in you? For me, it’s the feeling I get when I hike to an extraordinary view and I can look down to where I started. Or the feeling I get when listening to music live and the lyrics ring true for me. And it’s the feeling I get when I visit a place I’ve been dreaming of, and I see the streets and buildings in person for the first time.

Numinous Awesome Travel Words

Definition: A spontaneous journey where the traveler lets the spirit of the landscape and architecture move them.

This kind of journey is my favorite. The kind where you don’t have any really solid plans. The kind where you wander into cute coffeehouses and picnic in parks. The kind where the day is yours to do with it as you’d like.

Derive Awesome Travel Words

13. Forelsket

Definition: The euphoria you experience when you are first falling in love.

I’d like to think that this word could refer to a person or a place, as both give me butterflies. Find out how traveling makes your relationships stronger . 

Forelsket Awesome Travel Words

Definition: The desire to feel things just as intensely as you did when you were younger — before expectations, before memory, before words.

One reason travel is so addicting is that you’re able to experience a place for the first time. You see colors more vividly, and see everything with a fresh set of eyes.

Yu yi Awesome Travel Words

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Travel Words

We want to hear from you!

Have you heard any of these travel words before? Which is your favorite? Do you have one to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Comments (28) on “ 14 Awesome Travel Words You’ve Never Heard ”

Hello. remarkable job. I did not expect this. This is a splendid story. Thanks!

I personally believe that all travelers must pick inspiring travel quotes in their mind. It helps to enjoy the trip. I always do the same for me. By the way, I wish you all a good holidays/travels for this 2021, if pandemics let us for sure!

The world ‘hygge’ reminded me of a dinner party I had few years ago out in my garden under the blooming wisteria with a few friends, one of whom was battling glioblastoma brain cancer. At one point he looked around at all the sites of the flowers, his friends, the candlelight and the food and was just soaking it in. He had this contented smile on his face, and I felt grateful I had created what I now know is a hygge moment.

The last word ‘Yuyi’ impressed me very much but I cant find its meaning in any language…

I’m Swedish and speak both Danish and Norwegian. "Hygge" isn’t just about spending "cosy" time with friends over a meal or drink. It’s acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cosy, charming or special. It describes a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life. In Swedish we use "livsnjutare" for anyone who enjoys life in an over-indulgent way so the translation you’ve provided is close enough. 🙂 I’ve always like the word "hodophile" – someone who loves to travel.

I’m looking for Brand Name which makes Travel product like Bag and accessories and Dress as well.

Great job you did by sharing this site. Thanks for sharing this Interesting blog. Thanks for the list.. best way to share your ideas and information.

As a Chinese person, I’ve never seen anyone using the term ‘yu yi’ like that, and further searches on google left me even more confused because ‘玉衣’ (yu yi) simply means jade burial suit and that’s about it. There isn’t really some deeper interpretation to it. The closest term I could think of would perhaps be ‘如意'(ru yi), but this term means something like ‘according to your wish’… Either way keep up the great work!

Can I use meraki for my travel package bookings company? Pl suggest another, if you have

Hi Vijay, you can use the word Meraki all you want (it’s of Greek origin). If you are looking to purchase our images, please use our contact us form and we can discuss pricing. Cheers!

a very simple words describe a very deep emotions…

Very well said!

Where is the source of the meaning of Yu Yi? I got tipped off by a comment of a Chinese person that said that this was not the meaning. So I am searching around and can’t find anything. I love this meaning. I just want to find its origins since I am putting that definition as part of a slogan (not your exact same words) thanks!

Oh my god, I’ve read soo many travel blog posts but this one just got my absolute favourite! Amazing post and I can imagine it took you forever to gather all those beautiful expressions!

Aww you’re so sweet! Your comment made our day!

How About , EUDAIMONIA The contented happy state you feel when you travel

Origin: Greek | U·de·‘mOn·E·a

Oooo, that’s a good one! Thanks for sharing!

I just love the word Livsnjutare! I don’t know how, but it gives me a feeling of peace. And i feel I can relate to it, even though I can’t pronounce it! Apart from these, I like Dérive, Trouvaille and Fernweh.

So many fun words, huh?! (We can’t pronounce many of them either! Hehe) I love how other languages have words for feelings that have no translation in English!

can one reuse these images for fun and to reach a wider audience?

We’ll encourage you to pin them on Pinterest and share the article on Social Media like Facebook and Twitter. But the images are ours and if you would like to purchase them, please email us at [email protected] and we can figure something out.

That’s very nice information. thanks.

Hey Ashish, Glad you like the travel words. Which one can you relate to most?

Did you purchase the rights to use the images for each definition above?

All photos were taken by me and designed by me as well. Thank you for your concern.

I have heard of fernweh before, but all of your other words are brand new to me. And how perfect are they? I love other languages and how sometimes they have just the perfect word. No translation would do it justice!

Aren’t they fun?! Fernweh has been one of my favorite words for some time now because it so accurately describes a pretty complex feeling. It was so fun putting together this list and I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂

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Tale of 2 Backpackers

Unusual & Creative Travel Words that you must know in 2019

Blogging Tips & SEO

Creative travel words

Last Updated on: Oct 10, 2023  

About this blog: This contains 38 unique and creative travel words that you can use in your travel vocabulary. Use them in your travel captions or use them for naming your blog . 

Oh, yes! We love to travel. And we love to get amazed at new experiences. We love to look over in awe at the jaw-dropping scenery before us. At times, words fail. The feeling, the emotions that we encounter after scaling a summit, or after having a scuba diving experience cannot often be described with words. I am sure all of us have these moments when we fall short of words. But there are some beautiful and creative travel words that describe these various feelings very well. Some of these words might not have English equivalents.

As a traveller and writer, I often keep looking for words to describe my feelings. The more I look into these words, the more I fall in love with them. These words have such powerful emotions and feelings! So we decided to share some of our favourite unusual and creative travel words with you.

UNUSUAL AND CREATIVE TRAVEL WORDS

Peregrinate (v.).

Origin: Latin

Definition: To travel or wander around from place to place

travel words with beautiful meanings-peregrinate

The feeling we have whenever we are visiting any new place. We love to wander around and discover the hidden and not so hidden gems. And Darjeeling happens to be one of our favourite places to wander around. What’s yours?

Nemophilist (n.)

Origin: English

Definition: One who is fond of the forest

travel words with beautiful meanings-nemophilist

Serendipity (n.)

Definition: The fact of finding interesting or valuable by chance

travel words with beautiful meaning-serendipity

Trouvaille (n.)

Origin: French

Definition: Something lovely discovered by chance

travel word with beautiful meaning - trouvaille - blog name ideas

These two words are so close to our hearts. That we would be together was destiny, but our meeting was definitely serendipity! We had been travelling together for a long time, but it was only after our Amarnath Yatra , that we truly realized what travel means to us and what we actually want of our life.

Eudaimonia (n.)

Origin: Greek

Definition: The contented happy state when you travel

unusual-travel-words-eudaimonia

Eleutheromania (n.)

Definition: The intense desire for freedom

unusual-travel-words-eleutheromania

These two Greek words so wonderfully summarize our feeling when we travel. Travelling makes us contented and happy.

Sonder (n.)

Origin: Unknown

Definition: The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own

unusual-travel-words-sonder

Resfeber (n.)

Origin: Swedish

Definition: The tangled feelings of fear and excitement before a journey

unusual-travel-words-resfeber - blog name ideas

This always happens before a journey. There is a perpetual state of excitement as well as nervousness before I start any journey. And I enjoy both the state.

Before our trip to Uzbekistan, I had a bad case of travel anxiety after I read about Airbnb scams. It was only after I found out methods to detect Airbnb scam , I caught a break.

Fernweh (n.)

Origin: German

Definition: An urge to travel even stronger than wanderlust ; farsickness

unusual-travel-words-fernweh-domain-name-ideas

Dérive (n.)

Definition: To drift unplanned, only led by the landscape and architect around you.

unusual-travel-words-dérive

Have you done this? Have you travelled without any fixed plan? Often it is the unexpectedness of a journey that makes it even better. When we went to Majuli , we did not know where we would visit next. It was an impromptu decision to next visit Meghalaya . And this time we decided to give Shillong and Cherrapunji a miss and visit the offbeat places in Meghalaya . It was surely a memorable trip!

Solivagant (adj.)

Definition: Wandering alone. A solitary adventurer who travels and wanders the globe.

unusual-travel-words-solivagant

Strikhedonia (n.)

Definition: The joy of being able to say “to hell with it”

unusual-travel-words-strikhedonia

The feeling we had when we visited Ladakh !

Numinous (n.)

Definition: The powerful, personal feeling of being overwhelmed and inspired

unusual-travel-words-numinous

I had this feeling when I trekked the Rupin Pass summit . It was an overwhelming experience to stand there and look at the Kinner-Kailash range before me.

Forelsket (n.)

Origin: Norwegian

Definition: The euphoria you experience when you are first falling in love

unusual-travel-words-forelsket

This is such a beautiful and creative travel word. The first time we fell in love with each other, it was confusing. But the tangled emotion that I was feeling at that time was probably known as “forelsket”! And I think it is the same feeling when we fall in love with each other after completing every trek or doing something that we never thought we would do.

Hireath (n.)

Origin: Welsh

Definition: A homesickness for a home which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was.

unusual-travel-words-hireath

Sehnsucht (n.)

Definition: A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels that have been and travels to come.

unusual-travel-words-sehnsucht

Livsnjutare (n.)

Definition: Someone who loves life deeply and enjoys life

unusual-travel-words-livsnjutare

Sturmfrei (n.)

Definition: The freedom of being alone and having the ability to do whatever you want.

unusual-travel-words-sturmfrei

Sometimes, being alone is the best thing that we can gift ourselves.

Coddiwomple (v.)

Definition: To travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination

unusual-travel-words-coddiwomple

Nefelibata (n.)

Origin: Portugese

Definition: One who lives in the cloud of their own imagination; an unconventional person

unusual-travel-words-nefelibata

This word so describes me. I love to live in my own imagination.

Hodophile (adj.)

Definition: A lover of roads. One who loves to travel.

unusual-travel-words-hodophile

Schwellenangst (n.)

Definition: Fear of crossing a threshold to embark on something new.

unusual-travel-words-schwellenangst

Don’t we all have the fear while starting anything new? It might be a new job, or a new life at a different city, or even changing our lifestyle. I was always very complacent with my life with a high paying job. But there was a void somewhere. Even after I knew that I have to take the leap, the fear hold me back. The fear of uncertainty was keeping me back from doing what I loved.

Today, I have crossed that threshold. And let me tell you the joy that it brings is totally worth all the difficulties and problems and hard work that went. What is the fear that is holding you back?

Vagary (v.)

Definition: A wandering or roaming journey

unusual-travel-words-vagary

Saudade (n.)

Definition: A nostalgic longing to be near something or someone who is distant.

unusual-travel-words-saudade

Origin: Danish

Definition: The cosy feeling you get when you are enjoying the good things in life with friends

unusual-travel-words-hygge

Commuovere (v.)

Origin: Italian

Definition: To stir, to touch, to move to tears

unusual-travel-words-commuovere

The feeling we had after completing the Chadar Frozen River Trek .

Origin: Japanese

Definition: A profound and mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe

creative travel words-yūgen

Definition: Awareness of how little of the world you will experience

Travel words with beautiful meaning-onism

These two words sum it all. The universe, the world is so mysteriously beautiful. We can feel and experience only a part of this beauty!

Petrichor (n.)

Definition: The smell of earth after rain

travel words with beautiful meaning -petrichor-domain-name-ideas

Flâuner (n.)

Definition: A person of leisure, deliberately aimless, simply wandering the streets, soaking in the city

travel words with beautiful meaning-flâuner

Whenever we visit any city, we love to walk around. It is the best way to discover the charm of a city. We loved to roam around Yangon and explore the city on foot discovering its gems, hidden or otherwise!

Sometimes Kolkata , our hometown does this to us. We simply wander around, soaking in the little delights, wandering around the lanes and bye lanes and falling in love over and over again with the city. And so does Delhi !

Jijivisha (n.)

Origin: Sanskrit

Definition: The strong eternal desire to live and continue living

creative-travel-words-jijivisha

Rasasvada (n.)

Definition: The taste of bliss in the absence of all thoughts

creative-travel-words-rasasvada

Exactly what we felt after seeing the Everest and Kanchenjunga ranges in front of us from the Phalut. The Sandakphu-Phalut Trek is a great experience.

Smultronställe(n.)

Definition: Lit. “ Place of wild strawberries ”; a special place discovered, treasured, returned to for solace and relaxation; a personal idyll free from stress and sadness.

creative-travel-words-smultronställe

Darjeeling and Sikkim is our “place of wild strawberries”. What is yours?

Querencia (adj.)

Origin: Spanish

Definition: A place where one feels safe, A place where one feels at home

creative-travel-words-querencia

Musafir (n.)

Origin: Urdu

Definition: Traveller

creative-travel-words-musafir

Vuslat (n.)

Origin: Turkish

Definition: A union or reunion after being apart for a long time with one’s beloved

This is one of my favourite creative travel words.

creative-travel-words-vuslat

Thalassophile (n.)

Definition: A lover of ocean

creative-travel-words-thalassophile

Waldeinsamkeit (n.)

Definition: The feeling of being alone in the woods

creative-travel-words-waldeinsamkeit

So did you find your travel inspiration from these beautiful and unusual travel words? What is your favourite? Let us know in comments.

Pin this post for a later dose of inspiration!

unusual travel words with beautiful meanings

Agni Amrita

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26 comments.

Amazing list! This should keep me busy for a while. I would like to add French noun Flânerie – Aimless strolling or sauntering without a set plan or defined destination; walking at a leisurely pace, simply observing as you’re being taken along. Sometimes I write about similar topics. Here is an example post I wrote in case you or any of your readers find it interesting. Our content complements each other nicely, perhaps we can collab in some way in the future. Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see something new from you! Cheers!

Thank you so much for the comment and another beautiful word. You blog is amazing too. Maybe we can connect over for a collab in some way. Looking forward.

Excellent post..very informative!!

Always admire your writting skills and this time thanks for introducing new words in my dictionary. Great way to increase ones vocabulary with pictures origin and all.

Thank you Pallavi. So glad that you liked the post.

Thanks for enhancing my vocabulary.. none them was familiar to me so far.

Thank you Sapna! I did not know a few before writing this.

Wow that made for an interesting read. Adding them to my dictionary right away!

Thanks so much.

Woow so many beautiful, unique travel words i am unaware off. Love it

Thank you Gurjeet!

Such words , very useful must say. I love to read and learn new things. These will definitely help me to increase my vocab.

Thank you Pamela!

That is a very unique topic for a blog. Though I would want to identify myself with all the term, but I find myself closest to be a Nemophilist and Trouvaille. I also identify with Resfeber. No matter how much I have travelled, I still get a little nervous (and excited) before a foreign trip.

Thanks Abhinav. I can understand that nervous and excited feeling before a foreign trip!

Thanks for sharing this, great to know these word and their meaning. And yes I can say now I am Nemophilist. 🙂

Thank you Sundeep!

I am not just inspired but so well educated too now. Y next travel will now be so well-informed.

Thank you Sanjay!

This post was such a treat! I love travel and I love words, and it was nice to recognise a few that I knew, and learn new ones that I didn’t!

Thank you so much! So glad that you liked the post.

These are indeed words that provide full expression to the meaning of travel. Thanks for adding to my vocabulary. this is indeed the serendipity of reading travel blogs.

Thank you Sandy and Vyjay!

Brilliant post, some of these descriptive words I read for the first time. Bookmarked for future reference. Thanks for Sharing.

Thank you Anahita. Glad that you liked the post.

If you love to travel and excited to know different places in world then pack your bag and travel to India. India the birth place of yoga. Good for peace your mind and relaxing body.

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Synonyms for travel

  • make a journey
  • take a trip
  • make your way
  • wend your way
  • be transmitted
  • get through
  • burn rubber
  • go hell for leather
  • go like a bat out of hell
  • go at breakneck speed
  • go like (greased) lightning
  • globetrotting
  • peregrination

to make or go on a journey

  • peregrinate

to move along a particular course

To become known far and wide, the act of going from one place to another, related words.

  • circumnavigation
  • vagabondage
  • horseback riding
  • on the road
  • water travel
  • commutation

a movement through space that changes the location of something

  • change of location
  • circulation
  • gravitation
  • progression
  • translation

self-propelled movement

  • brachiation

change location

  • betake oneself
  • travel purposefully
  • take the air
  • move around
  • slice through
  • travel along
  • travel rapidly
  • bucket along
  • cannonball along
  • stay in place

undertake a journey or trip

Make a trip for pleasure, travel upon or across, undergo transportation as in a vehicle, travel from place to place, as for the purpose of finding work, preaching, or acting as a judge.

  • trash barrel
  • trash collection
  • trash pickup
  • traumatic epilepsy
  • traumatology
  • traumatophobia
  • Trautvetteria
  • Trautvetteria carolinensis
  • travel agency
  • travel agent
  • travel allowance
  • travel and entertainment account
  • travel bargain
  • travel expense
  • travel guidebook
  • travel iron
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Travel Synonyms And What They Reveal About Travel

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The word “travel” has a very broad definition, and there are many travel synonyms that help encapsulate what travel is all about.

The Oxford Dictionary defines travel as, “Make a journey, typically of some length.” But, if travel is simply to “make a journey”, then why do we love and crave the word? After all, we make journeys and travel every day. We travel to work, we travel back home from work, etc.

So what is it about the word “travel” that carries such excitement when the word itself can describe so much of our mundane activities?

A Code Word

In reality, there is little doubt that “travel” is actually a code word for adventure, exploration, discovery, escapism, new experiences, and more. Hidden away in the small word “travel” is a vast ocean of possibilities, dreams and fulfillment.

But then what happens if our travels provide none of these sensations? What happens when our vacations, travels or escapes from the mundanity of life are, in actual fact, a real let down? Then what is “travel”?

Travel Synonyms

Perhaps some travel synonyms, in this case, could be presumption, wishful thinking, or even misplaced hope? We as humans often feel like we’re missing out and that the grass is greener on the other side, so perhaps “travel” simply hides and covers our own self-deficiencies and dupes us into thinking the problem is external rather than internal?

After all, if I could just be somewhere else, change my city and start over, then everything would be fine and dandy…right? This idea is explored more here . And what about inward travel? If one contemplates life are they “traveling”? If, as the Oxford Dictionary puts it, travel is just to ”make a journey”, then can you travel into yourself? And more on that idea here .

And why is it that some of us yearn for “more” out of life? What is it that we’re actually looking for? What is it about travel that seems to tap into that vein of longing? And why can’t I shake off the wanderlust? Why is it that, with Bono, I’m left saying (or singing when in the shower), “But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for!”

travel for fun synonyms

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Bono, Travel Synonyms

But let’s just brush aside all the artsy fartsy rhetoric for one moment, is travel simply just for “fun”? Perhaps I’m overcomplicating it?

But then what is travel when we, as tourists, spoil the “fun” for locals, make fools of ourselves and bring discredit to our home countries by acting like idiots? And what about the loved ones we leave behind? Is it “fun” for them hardly ever seeing us?

Moreover, perhaps “travel” is to learn and grow as an individual. But how do we know if we’re “growing” in the right direction? In short, my friends, what IS travel? What is it, really? And why do we ACTUALLY do it?

Well, sorry to disappoint, but I don’t attempt to answer all those questions. However, at the very least, here is the etymology of word travel and a few travel synonyms I’ve taken from a Thesaurus that may help us understand a bit more about what this travel business really is all about.

The Etymology Of Travel

Our English word “travel” comes from the 14 th Century ye olde French word “travailen”. This word means, in essence, to make a difficult journey.

This word is also closely linked to our modern word “travail”, which means “work, labor, toil, suffer”.  The word “travailen” emphasized the difficulty and danger that often accompanied travel in the Middle Ages.

In short, for our great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents, “travel” was a bit of a pain. It was difficult and arduous.

Sure, it had positives such as fleeing danger, finding work, or escaping to find a new promising, hopeful and better life, but, in our modern day and age, how many of us actually travel to start a new, promising life or to escape any real danger? And, if we do, are our reasons as justifiable as our great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents?

In reality, probably not for the majority of us.

I cannot help but think that, in actual fact, our travel can often be quite selfish and consumeristic in comparison to these travelers of old.

Marco Polo in Tartar Outfit, Travel Synonyms

That’s not to knock travel at all (I’m writing in a TRAVEL magazine after all!)

But I just wonder if, perhaps, we can sometimes be so consumeristic in our traveling that the very traditional notions of “work, labor, toil, suffer” never enter our minds. Perhaps “travel” is supposed to be hard and arduous to some degree? To include a bit of work among the joy? And, if we never find our travels difficult, demanding or stretching, can we really even call it “travel”?

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Travel synonyms.

I know, I know. I’ve just asked even more questions rather than provide answers—I promise I’ll stop. And so, taken from the Oxford Dictionary, here are a few travel synonyms alongside a few personal reflections (and a few more questions…yes, I lied):

1. “go on an excursion” (that certainly has the travailing vibe mentioned above!)

2. “roam” (that interestingly sounds a bit aimless, I suspect a few of my “travels” were more accurately “roams”)

3. “wend one’s way” (so perhaps “My Way” by Frank Sinatra should be on every traveler’s playlist?)

4. “gallivant” (that certainly encapsulates the consumeristic thinking I mentioned above)

5. “odyssey” (now I feel like Captain Kirk from Star Trek)

6. “go” (fair enough, this one at least makes sense to me)

7. “trek” (had to include that for our namesake)

8. “progress” (what if you get lost and go the wrong direction? Can negative progress be a thing? Anyway, I thought travel was supposed to be a break from all these performance markers?!)

9. “roll” (I personally opt to walk rather than roll, but each to their own…)

10. “backpack” (that’s an interesting one, more on that here )

11.  “go round“ (I’m sure Genghis Khan told the Chinese they were just on their innocent travels when he and his Mongol horde decided to “go round” the Great Wall of China)

12.  “go rapidly” (semi-true: although airplanes are getting faster, airports are DEFINITELY getting slower)

13. “pilgrimage” (as a Catholic, I like this one. Surely shows the otherworldly side to travel and how, in going somewhere new, one can learn more about their old predictable selves, while even traveling into the very depths of God—if one has faith, that is. PS. I really, REALLY want to go on a Joan of Arc pilgrimage. Just throwing that out there)

14.  “exploration” (we begin life curious, so is it any wonder that we find ourselves curious of other cultures and people later in life too?)

15. “jaunt” (as an Englishmen I would use this word if I wanted to take a stroll to the pub for tea—and by “tea” I mean dinner)

So many questions, so little answers. However, just like me, I hope you found some of these travel synonyms interesting and mildly helpful in coming to terms with this whole “travel” business!

Thanks for reading and comment below if you have any more interesting travel synonyms or your own thoughts on why we’re all acting like irresponsible adults by avoiding life with travel! 😉

Suggested next reading:  Why You Need To Ditch The Noise & Escape Into Silence ASAP

travel for fun synonyms

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Chris Newton

Published by Chris Newton

Hi, I'm Chris - a web developer who likes to travel. My favourite travel destinations are Italy and France; Italy because I loved seeing all the religious history in Rome, and France because I met my beautiful wife there! While becoming a dad has kept me from travelling lately, I still enjoy learning French and learning from different cultures. If you'd like to know more, you can read more about me here . View all posts by Chris Newton

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Synonyms of travels

  • as in journeys
  • as in traverses
  • as in speeds
  • as in associates
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Thesaurus Definition of travels

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

  • pilgrimages
  • road - trips
  • peregrinates
  • knocks (about)
  • perambulates
  • passes (over)
  • proceeds (along)
  • cuts (across)
  • crisscrosses
  • cracks (on)
  • steps on it
  • makes tracks
  • cannonballs
  • shakes a leg
  • gets a move on
  • hotfoots (it)
  • accelerates
  • fast - forwards

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

  • hangs (around or out)
  • slows (down or up)
  • decelerates
  • dillydallies
  • collaborates
  • fraternizes
  • rubs shoulders (with)
  • falls in with
  • takes up with
  • pals (around)
  • keeps company (with)
  • rubs elbows (with)
  • consociates
  • messes around
  • interrelates
  • is friends with
  • confederates
  • splits (up)
  • cold - shoulders
  • dissociates

Thesaurus Definition of travels  (Entry 2 of 2)

  • peregrination
  • commutation

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Cite this Entry

“Travels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travels. Accessed 14 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on travels

Nglish: Translation of travels for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of travels for Arabic Speakers

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10 Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

We often run out of words on what to say. It also happens when we talk about travel lovers or want to impress our  nomadic friends . Are you tired of using the same old words? If so, today’s fun  post is for you. 

Do you know what a person is called who loves to travel? Travel lover. Yes, but we all know that, and besides, that’s two words, not a one word noun .

Words for Travel Lovers

How about “Hodophile”. If you are saying, “what, a hodophile!” Yes, a hodophile is a person who loves to travel. Now, that’s certainly going to grab your friends’ attention next time you talk to them.

Below are the top 10 simple to pronounce words you should start using to enhance your regular travel vocabulary.

These are nothing like out-of-the-tongue kinda words but refreshing synonyms one should add to their day to day vocabulary.

Globetrotter

Do you know anyone who loves to hop between countries? Or anyone who is a hardcore traveler? Anyone who leaves their tiny footprints across the various continents? Globetrotter is what you call them, and Globetrotting is their religion.

Globetrotter_Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

Few of us hate staying in one place. We are people of many lands who live to travel. Itinerant is an apt word for travel lovers who have got a gypsy soul.

Itinerant_Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

Read Next: 201 Greatest Travel Quotes That Will Leave You Speechless

Many times we say, let’s hit the road ! That is exactly what roadies do, but they accompany bands or musicians and travel in a group. In recent time though, the term has become more generalized and biking groups can be also called Roadies.

Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

Wandering around might get old after a few days, why not use roving around for a change? Become a Rover aka Travel Lover. 🙂

Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

Related:   The Ultimate Travel Bucket List and 101 Couple Goals

“Catch flights, not feelings”  is what the quote says, but what about after you get off the plane? Hop on a car, and move to your hotel, then what?

You need to walk around and discover the destination. All travel lovers are wayfarers in a way.

Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

www.artoftravel.store/

Nothing is permanent. And this world is massive to just live in a corner. People who make any place their home are in reality the Vagabonds – the daring nomads, adventurers , and travel lovers.

Also, you might have heard this quote from Saint Augustine of Hippo: “The World is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

Traveling alone is empowering. And when you are brave enough to take on the roads yourself you become a Solivagant. Wandering alone is an unadulterated bliss which travel lovers should try once.

Related: Women Solo Travelers on Rise  and Best Destinations for Traveling Solo

Travel Buff

Wisdom comes from experience and those who are travelers amass knowledge through traveling. That is what makes them the travel-buffs.

Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

You don’t need an explanation for this word. It is as perfect as it comes. Hodophile – the very word for travel lovers. A Hodophile is “One who loves to travel.”

In Australia , a retired old man traveling in a motorhome or caravan is named as Grey Nomad. But why just use it in the context of an old man?

Nowadays the travel lovers who live a nomadic life are often called “Grey Nomads.” (They may or may not have grey hairs though, Lol!)

Synonymous Words for Travel Lovers

What are some other words for travel lovers? Comment below and we’ll add to this list. We hope this post cheered you and brought you value. If yes, please share it with your globetrotting friends and tell them they are too young to be a grey nomad. (wink)

Next up:   The Ultimate Travel Bucket List and Couple Goals

November 2, 2017 1:26 pm Published by Staff Writer 22 Comments

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Synonyms of 'fun' in American English

Synonyms of 'fun' in british english, phrase:  , idiom:  , phrasal verb:  , additional synonyms, video: pronunciation of fun.

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  • fun and games
  • funambulist
  • All ENGLISH synonyms that begin with 'F'

Related terms of fun

  • for or in fun
  • make fun of something or someone

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Planning a staycation in Nashville? Here are some fun ideas for everyone in the family

travel for fun synonyms

As spring break draws near or gets underway for many students, some are choosing to forget the out of state travel and have a staycation in Music City.

But what is there to do? Where should one go?

There are actually several options. From the latest sporting event to art festivals and concerts, or even the museum visit, Nashville has a little bit of everything to choose from.

Here are some options:

For music lovers

Known as Music City, it should come as no surprise that Nashville has a big history in the industry. With deep roots in county, but also pop, blues and gospel, there are plenty of choices for people looking for a history lesson. The Country Music Hall of Fame , 222 Rep. John Lewis Way South, and the National African American Museum , 510 Broadway, are two perfect places to start.

And then, there's the live music. There's always something going on in Broadway's famous honky tonks . Music lovers can also visit Bridgestone Arena for amazing concerts. Popular artists like Chris Tomlin (March 29), Dan + Shay (March 21), Fall Out Boy (March 31) and Nicki Minaj (March 24) will host concerts there in the coming weeks. A full calendar is posted on their website.

For sports fans and thrill seekers

Looking for something a bit more athletic or sporty? Look no further than an amazing ropes course or sporting events that are minutes from downtown. The Adventure Park , 801 Percy Warner Boulevard, offers everything from axe throwing to ropes courses. And here's a bonus: they also offer a variety of discounts.

There's also Puttshack , a tech-infused mini golf course that combines mini golf with other games like tic-tac-toe and air hockey. It's located at 138 12th Ave North.

And for those who want to attend live sporting events, Bridgestone is the place to be, again. The arena is hosting the men’s SEC basketball tournament through March 17. The Predators and Nashville SC also have match ups scheduled in the coming weeks.

The Preds are scheduled to play at Bridgestone on March 19, 23 and 26.

Nashville SC is scheduled to play at Geodis Park, 501 Benton Avenue, on March 16 and 30 as well as April 6.

For art and history lovers

For those who want to view the finest art the city has to offer, the Frist Art Museum , 919 Broadway, recently opened a new exhibition featuring sculptors Daniel Chester French and Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Known as the preeminent American sculptors of the Gilded Age, these two created the Diana  atop New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Seated Abraham Lincoln  inside the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC. 

Have a mythology lover in the group?

The Parthenon at Centennial Park is a full-scale replica of the original in Athens, Greece and was built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. It also has art exhibitions, tours and events.

Other museums of note in Music City include Cheekwood Botanical Gardens , 1200 Forrest Park Drive, the Tennessee State Museum , at the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Jefferson Street, and Andrew Jackson's Hermitage , 4580 Rachels Lane.

10 Words You’ll Enjoy Using More Than “Fun”

travel for fun synonyms

From throwing a party to going on an adventure to simply playing a new board game, we tend to describe any form of entertainment as fun . Going to the movies? Fun . Baking a cake? Fun . Training for a marathon? Fun —for some people, anyway.

As a result, the word fun has become a go-to, often cliché, description for having a good time. We get it, fun is pretty fun. But, if it can be used for everything from baking cakes to marathon training, it might be time to dial back our use of this word and switch to alternatives that are … funner (yes, that’s a real word )!

To help mix it up a little bit, we’ve gathered some of our favorite synonyms for one of the most entertaining words around. We think you’ll have fun trying out some of these alternatives for fun as an adjective.

Before we get into the alternatives, though, we first want to draw your attention to a term that typically isn’t one, which is …

If something is fun , meaning “enjoyable,” you may find it funny , as in “causes laughter.” While these two terms are related, they are not interchangeable.

For example:

  • The baseball game yesterday was a lot of fun .

If you try to substitute funny into the sentence, it doesn’t make any sense. You wouldn’t go to a baseball game expecting to laugh in the same way you would a comedy show, right?

However, maybe one of the plays at the game made you laugh. Then, it would make sense to say, “That awkward bunt was pretty funny.”

The word fun comes from the obsolete fon which meant “to act the fool” or “to make a fool of.” As a general rule, if something is simply diverting or entertaining, it is likely fun . If it is supposed to make you laugh, it is likely funny . Sometimes, things are both, as in, “The comedy show was fun and funny,” meaning the comedy show was a good time and it made people laugh.

Now, let’s move on to take a look at some of the words we can use to substitute for fun.

entertaining

One of the easiest synonyms of fun to use is entertaining . Entertaining means “amusing, diverting.” This term can be used in many contexts as a synonym for fun when it is used as an adjective, especially when discussing topics such as performances (such as music or theater) or games. It is slightly more formal than fun , but still an everyday term.

  • It was entertaining to watch the acrobats tumble up on the high wire.
  • We thought the card games at Cary’s birthday party were very entertaining.

The word entertaining ultimately comes from the Latin intertenēre meaning “to hold mutually.” Entertain was originally used in English to describe how things are entwined together. Later, entertain described something that holds one’s attention—like a play or spectacle.

If entertaining isn’t fu n enough for you, you might want to kick it up a notch with our next word.

While the term engrossing might sound a little disgusting, it’s really not yucky at all. Engrossing means “fully occupying the mind or attention; absorbing.” You can think of it like a more intense form of entertaining . If something entertaining holds your attention, something engrossing completely takes all of your attention.

Keep in mind, not everything that is engrossing is fun. For example, working hard on a task may be described as “engrossing,” but it probably isn’t very fun for most people. However, an activity that is enjoyable and totally captivates you is engrossing.

  • From the opening curtain, Fedwa found the play entirely engrossing ; she could barely look away.

Perhaps, though, you prefer the kind of entertainment that doesn’t just hold your attention, but also gives you chills. Then you might prefer the synonym …

If something is truly engrossing, would you also call it “interesting”? We have some better options for you here.

We are thrilled to introduce you to our next synonym … thrilling . The adjective thrilling means “producing sudden, strong, and deep emotion or excitement.” It can also mean “producing a tremor, as by chilling” or “vibrating; trembling; quivering.”

This word is a synonym of fun in the sense that when you are having fun you might experience a thrill . Examples of the kind of fun that is thrilling are bungee jumping, scary movies, or bumper cars.

For instance:

  • It was thrilling to gallop the horses across the field with her best friend at her side.

The word thrilling comes from the Middle English thrillen, which originally meant “to penetrate.” Now here’s a fun (and funny) connection: it turns out the word thrill is related to the word  nostril.  See if you can trace the connection of their origins by learning more about  nostril here.

Anything that brings you pleasure might be described as delightful . Delight comes from the Latin dēlectāre meaning “to allure, attract, charm, please.” (The adjective form of the verb, delightful , was first recorded around 1520.)

The term delightful may be considered a bit more sophisticated, but still common enough, term than fun . Some things that might be described as delightful are a delicious meal, a pleasant afternoon spent at the park, or a creative piece of music.

  • The tiny bells hanging off the edge of her skirt tinkled in a delightful way that reminded Yosra of winter sleigh rides.

Here, the soft tinkling sounds of bells bring Yosra some small pleasures. But it isn’t the same high-octane kind of fun suggested by …

enthralling

If something has ever grabbed your attention so quickly and completely that you were focused on it to the exclusion of all else, you have experienced something enthralling . Action flicks, roller coasters, magic shows—all enthralling.

A thrall is “a person who is morally or mentally enslaved by some power, influence, or the like.” Another meaning of it is “a person held in bondage or slavery.” The prefix en- has various meanings, including “to cause (a person or thing) to be in” a place or condition. Enthrall literally means “to cause bondage.” While this sounds (and was originally) very dark, you can think of enthralling , the adjective form of the word, as an even more intense form of entertaining and engrossed.

  • The enthralling performers were pulling out all the stops—from pyrotechnics to complicated dance choreography—to keep the audience energized.

Sounds like a fun show to us. An important part of having fun, though, isn’t just that it takes up all of your attention—it also distracts you from boring , not-fun responsibilities like chores. That’s where our next term for fun comes in.

Diverting sounds more like a traffic direction than a synonym for fun , but trust us— diverting can mean “entertaining, amusing.”

It does have some connection with directions, though. The word divert comes from the Latin dīvertere , meaning “to turn in different directions.” Essentially, you think of something diverting as turning you away from something boring toward something more interesting. The adjective form of the word, diverting , was first recorded around 1650.

Some examples of fun things you might find diverting are scrolling through videos on social media, playing word games, or joking around with your friends in class. Here’s an example of how to use diverting in a sentence:

  • There were tons of diverting activities at the summer camp, like kayaking, pottery, and archery.

Sounds like a fun camp, and we’re willing to bet that the campers are …

The term boisterous is most often used to describe people or other creatures that are a lot of fun to be around because of their high energy (although, sometimes, it can be a little hard to handle). Boisterous means “rough and noisy; noisily jolly or rowdy; clamorous; unrestrained.”

  • The pair had come upon a boisterous scene: a group was crowded around the piano singing, and Donia and Nyzar were dancing in the kitchen.

Boisterous comes from the Middle English boistous meaning “crude, strong, fierce, gross.” While boisterous is a less-common synonym for fun , it’s perfect for describing chaotic but entertaining scenarios like this party.

Another term that could be used to describe a party is …

Literally, a gas is “a substance possessing perfect molecular mobility and the property of indefinite expansion, as opposed to a solid or liquid.” But when it comes to having fun , a gas is “a good time.”

According to Green’s Dictionary of Slang , this use of gas to mean “a very enjoyable experience” comes from Irish slang. In fact, the first known recorded use of it in this sense is from James Joyce’s 1914 collection Dubliners. While the origins of this slang term are unknown, apocryphally it is said to be related to nitrous oxide or laughing gas, a form of anesthetic known to cause feelings of exhilaration. It is often used in the expression “to have a gas.”

While a gas is a bit of a dated expression these days, we can attest that it is really fun to use. Take this as an example:

  • Everyone had a gas at the wrap party for the show, even the grouchy stage manager.

Sounds like a fun party, or might we say …

have a ball

It doesn’t require a huge stretch of the imagination to understand how a ball came to be a synonym for fun . After all, what’s more fun than a ball ? While a ball is literally “a large, usually lavish, formal party featuring social dancing,” in this expression it has come to refer to any kind of party or celebration.

According to Green’s Dictionary of Slang , the expression a ball in this sense comes from Black American slang dating to 1864. The full phrase to have a ball is first in evidence around the 1920s. While originally a ball referenced parties explicitly, it quickly came to define any kind of fun to be had, from sporting events to family vacations.

  • My grandparents had a ball at bingo night at the church last week.

Of course, fun isn’t always an adjective. Sometimes, it’s also our next word.

Fun, of course can also be used as a noun, as in, “Emy is full of fun.” Here, fun is used as a thing, a quality, that Emy is full of. Most of the synonyms for fun we have covered are good replacements for when you need a new adjective. But, what if you’re looking for a substitute for fun as a noun? Well, look no further. We have you covered there, too.

One of our favorite synonyms for fun as a noun is merriment (and not just because it makes us think of Merry Brandybuck from The Lord of the Rings ). Merriment means “cheerful or joyful gaiety; mirth; hilarity; laughter.” It comes from the Old English myrige , meaning “pleasant, delightful.” You can use merriment to mean fun as a noun in most contexts, although it is particularly associated with causing laughter.

  • Merriment was had by all at the extravagant five-course meal.

Some other synonyms for fun as an noun that you might choose to use are:

  • celebration
  • distraction

We hope you had a diverting , thrilling , delightful time with our coverage of some of our favorite fun synonyms. If you want even more options, check out fun over at Thesaurus.com.

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