meander

[/miˈændər/]

verb/noun

serpentear / divagar

1. (verb) to follow a winding or indirect course; to wind about

The river meanders through the valley.

O rio serpenteia pelo vale.

2. (verb) to walk or move aimlessly; to wander without a definite route

We meandered through the old town, enjoying the sights.

Vagueávamos pela cidade antiga, apreciando as vistas.

3. (verb) to speak or write in a rambling, indirect manner

His speech meandered from topic to topic.

Seu discurso divagava de um tópico para outro.

4. (noun) a winding curve or bend, especially in a river

The meander in the river created a oxbow lake.

A sinuosidade do rio criou um lago de ferradura.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

serpentear / divagar

Common in both spoken and written Portuguese

Rio de Janeiro

dar voltas

Colloquial expression for wandering aimlessly

São Paulo

serpentear

Preferred for describing physical winding paths

Portugal

meandrizar / sinuosidade

More technical/formal usage; sinuosidade for noun form

meander one's way - caminhar divagando pelo caminho

meander off topic - desviar-se do assunto principal

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