globetrotter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, slightly formal/informative; also used in journalism and marketing.
Quick answer
What does “globetrotter” mean?
A person who travels frequently and widely to many different countries.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who travels frequently and widely to many different countries.
Someone characterized by extensive international travel, often as a lifestyle, hobby, or part of their profession (e.g., travel writer, diplomat, executive). It can also refer to an international sports team or its member.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British media to describe football/sports teams on international tours. In both varieties, it can have positive (adventurous) or mildly negative (never at home, superficial travel) connotations depending on context.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects. The related verb 'to globetrot' is less common than the noun.
Grammar
How to Use “globetrotter” in a Sentence
[adjective] globetrotterglobetrotter who/that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “globetrotter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They spent their gap year globetrotting across Asia.
- The royal couple are set to globetrot for a series of charitable engagements.
American English
- After retiring, they plan to spend a few years globetrotting.
- The CEO globetrots constantly between the New York and Singapore offices.
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used. 'Globetrottingly' is non-standard]
American English
- [Rarely used. 'Globetrottingly' is non-standard]
adjective
British English
- He has a very globetrotting lifestyle.
- The team's globetrotting tour was exhausting.
American English
- She landed a globetrotting job as a photojournalist.
- Their globetrotting adventures were documented on social media.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe executives with multinational responsibilities, e.g., 'Our CFO is a true globetrotter, managing offices on three continents.'
Academic
Rare in formal academia. Might appear in sociological or anthropological studies on travel, tourism, and cosmopolitanism.
Everyday
Used conversationally to describe someone who travels a lot, e.g., 'My aunt is a real globetrotter; she's visiting her 50th country this year.'
Technical
Not a technical term. Used in sports journalism for teams on international tours.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “globetrotter”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “globetrotter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “globetrotter”
- Misspelling as 'globe trotter' or 'globe-trotter' (the closed form 'globetrotter' is standard).
- Using it for a one-time holidaymaker.
- Incorrect stress: stressing 'trot' instead of the first syllable 'globe'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but leans slightly towards the formal or journalistic register. In very formal writing, 'frequent international traveler' or 'peripatetic' might be used instead.
Yes, absolutely. It is commonly used to describe executives, consultants, or journalists whose work requires constant international travel.
A 'tourist' typically goes on leisure trips, often of limited duration. A 'globetrotter' implies habitual, frequent travel as a defining characteristic, often with greater experience and depth (though not necessarily).
It is an older variant. Modern standard English predominantly uses the closed compound 'globetrotter' (and 'globetrotting').
A person who travels frequently and widely to many different countries.
Globetrotter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡləʊbtrɒtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡloʊbtrɑːtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Live out of a suitcase”
- “Have itchy feet”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TROTTER (a pig's foot) wearing a GLOBE as a hat, happily trotting around the world map.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORLD IS A PATH/ROUTE TO BE TRAVERSED (TROTTED). A PERSON IS AN AGENT MOVING RAPIDLY (TROTTING) ALONG THIS PATH.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase best describes a 'globetrotter'?