itinerant

/aɪˈtɪnərɪnt/

/aɪˈtɪnərɪnt/

Other forms: itinerants; itinerantly

An itinerant is a person who moves from place to place, typically for work, like the itinerant preacher who moves to a new community every few years.

Itinerant is pronounced "eye-TIN-er-ant." It might remind you of itinerary, the traveler's schedule that lists flights, hotel check-in times, and other plans. It's no surprise that both words come from the Latin word itinerare, meaning "to travel." Itinerant was first used in the 16th century to describe circuit judges who traveled to faraway courtrooms. Today, almost anyone can be an itinerant.

Definitions of itinerant

1. adjective

   traveling from place to place to work
   “itinerant labor”

   “an itinerant judge”

   synonyms:

   unsettled

   not settled or established
2. noun

   a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment
   “itinerant traders”

   synonyms: gipsy, gypsy

   types:

   swagger, swaggie, swagman

   an itinerant Australian laborer who carries his personal belongings in a bundle as he travels around in search of work

   tinker

   formerly a person (traditionally a Gypsy) who traveled from place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal utensils as a way to earn a living

   type of:

   jack, laborer, labourer, manual laborer

   someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor