peregrinate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low (C2+)Literary, formal, archaic, humorous
Quick answer
What does “peregrinate” mean?
To travel or journey from place to place, especially on foot.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To travel or journey from place to place, especially on foot; to travel extensively or wander.
To travel or wander abroad, to undertake a pilgrimage; figuratively, to move through ideas or topics in a discursive, wandering manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties treat it as a formal/literary word. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British English due to stronger literary tradition, but extremely rare in both.
Connotations
Both associate it with archaic or deliberately elegant/dramatic style. No difference in meaning.
Frequency
Negligibly rare in everyday speech in both regions. Used mainly in literary or academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “peregrinate” in a Sentence
Intransitive: (subject) peregrinated through/across/around (place)Transitive (archaic): (subject) peregrinated the (land/world/continent)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peregrinate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After retiring, they planned to peregrinate across the continent, visiting every cathedral.
- The Victorian naturalist would peregrinate through the countryside, collecting specimens.
American English
- He sold all his possessions to peregrinate around South America for a year.
- The memoir details how she peregrinated through dozens of countries in search of meaning.
adverb
British English
- No common adverb form exists. 'Peregrinatingly' is theoretically possible but not attested in standard use.
American English
- As in British English, no standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- The adjective form is 'peregrine', meaning 'wandering, migratory, foreign'. 'The peregrine scholar' is a valid but rare phrase.
American English
- The adjective form is 'peregrine'. Example: 'He lived a peregrine existence, never staying in one city for long.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare; used in literary criticism, history, or anthropology to describe characters' travels or nomadic lifestyles.
Everyday
Virtually never used; would sound highly pretentious or humorous.
Technical
Not used in STEM fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peregrinate”
- Using it in speech. Overusing it in writing. Confusing it with 'peregrination' (the noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare in modern English and is considered literary, formal, or archaic.
Yes, but this usage is archaic. Example: 'He peregrinated the globe.' The modern preference is intransitive use with a preposition (e.g., 'through the globe').
'Peregrinate' implies a more extensive, wandering, and often thoughtful journey. 'Travel' is the common, neutral term.
Yes, 'peregrination' means the act of peregrinating or a long, wandering journey.
To travel or journey from place to place, especially on foot.
Peregrinate is usually literary, formal, archaic, humorous in register.
Peregrinate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɛrɪɡrɪˌneɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈperəɡrəˌneɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PEREGRINE falcon that migrates long distances, and associate the sound: PEREGRINate = to travel like a falcon.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY (but a scholarly, reflective one).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of 'peregrinate'?