Meander

verb (intransitive); noun

/miˈændər/

A sinuous curve or loop in a river's course, formed by lateral erosion and deposition as the river flows across a floodplain.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

A welfare policy that meanders from one populist scheme to the next, untethered to a coherent fiscal philosophy, tends to dissipate scarce resources without delivering measurable improvements in human development.

Synonyms

windwanderramblesnakezigzagdrift

Antonyms

straightenbeelinestreamlinehead straight

🌱 Word Family

meander (v), meander (n), meandering (adj/v pres.p), meanderingly (adv), meandered (v past)

🔡 Root

Greek Maiandros = ancient name of the winding Menderes River, Turkey; via Latin Maeander

📜 Etymology

From Latin Maeander, from Greek Maiandros, the ancient name of the Menderes River in southwestern Turkey, renowned for its winding course.

🧠 Memory Hook

"Meander" comes from the river Maeander (Menderes) in Turkey, famed for its endless bends — picture a river that simply will not flow in a straight line, looping lazily across the plain. ME-ANDER = "me and her" out for an aimless, winding stroll.

🌍 Geography 📖 Seen in: Drainage Systems & River Geography of ...

Tip: press Alt+S to hear pronunciation