traveler

traveler — noun

1. someone who is making a journey from one place to another, especially for enjoym

1.nounA2
Definition

someone who is making a journey from one place to another, especially for enjoyment or to see unfamiliar places

Example

Pim met several other travelers at the hostel in Bangkok last night.

traveler + at [accommodation]

Dr. Greta, a tired traveler, stopped at a small hotel in Kyoto to rest for the night.

adjective + traveler: tired / solo / business

Common collocations
  • business traveler
  • solo traveler
  • frequent traveler
  • traveler's check
  • traveler meets someone
  • traveler stays at a place
Synonyms
  • tourist

    specifically a person traveling for pleasure, often visiting famous sites

  • passenger

    someone traveling on a vehicle (plane, train, bus), not a general journey-maker

  • commuter

    someone who travels regularly between home and work, a routine rather than a journey

  • voyager

    more literary or formal; suggests a long or adventurous journey

Antonyms
  • local

    a person who lives in a place rather than visiting it

  • resident

    someone who permanently lives in a particular location

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] traveler

traveler + preposition + place

Usage Note

This is the US spelling; the UK spelling uses double l (traveller). As a countable noun, it can be modified by adjectives such as frequent, solo, business, or weary.

Common Mistakes

I am a traveler in Paris for vacation.
I am a traveler visiting Paris for vacation.
'traveler' alone does not specify purpose; pair it with a destination or activity for clarity.
He is a traveler to go to Japan.
He is a traveler who is going to Japan.
Use a relative clause, not an infinitive, to describe the traveler's destination.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Traveler is the broadest term for anyone moving between places. A tourist travels specifically for pleasure and sightseeing, often following planned routes or visiting famous landmarks. A passenger is on a vehicle but may not be traveling by choice — the word focuses on the mode of transport, not the purpose of the trip. A commuter makes the same journey regularly, usually between home and work, so the word implies routine. Voyager has a more literary feel and suggests a long, adventurous journey, such as a sea voyage or space exploration. For everyday use, traveler covers most situations: a business traveler, a solo traveler, or a traveler on a train. If the focus is on seeing sights, use tourist; if the focus is the bus or plane ride, use passenger.

tourist ↗passenger ↗commuter ↗voyager

Common collocations

Nouns

  • business traveler
  • solo traveler
  • air traveler
  • frequent traveler
  • world traveler

Phrases

  • seasoned traveler
  • weary traveler
  • fellow traveler
  • budget traveler

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Traveler comes from the verb travel, which traces back through Middle English travelen to Old French travaillier (meaning 'to work hard' or 'to journey'). The original sense of 'hard work' shifted because long journeys in medieval times were difficult and exhausting. The agent suffix -er (one who does something) was added to form traveler (one who travels). The US spelling uses one l, while British English doubles it to traveller.