Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “wanderlust” come from?

Wanderlust comes from German Wanderlust, combining Middle High German wandern (to hike) with German Lust, ultimately from Proto-Germanic lustuz and Proto-Indo-European lewH-, meaning desire or appetite.

wanderlust (English): A strong impulse or longing to travel; To feel a...

Definitions

  1. A strong impulse or longing to travel; To feel a...

Ancestry of “wanderlust”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanWanderlustwanderlust; the urge to travel, the love of the...
2Germanlust—
3Middle High Germanlust—
4Old High Germanlust—
5Proto-West Germaniclustudesire, want, lust
6Proto-Germaniclustuzlust, desire, want
7Proto-Germaniclausazloose, free; empty, devoid; false, untrue
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanlewH-louse

Words derived from “wanderlust”

  • wanderlusty
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewH- →