Definition

A person, especially a samurai, who has no master or lord, often wandering and seeking purpose. It can also refer to a student who has not succeeded in getting into their desired school and is preparing to try again.

Example

After losing his master, the samurai became a ronin, traveling the land in search of a new purpose.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a ronin?

Yeah, it's a masterless samurai, right?

Exactly! I find their stories really fascinating.

Me too! It's interesting how they adapt to life without a master.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ronin originates from Japanese (浪人), where 'ro' (浪) means wave or wandering, and 'nin' (人) means person. The term refers to a wandering samurai without a lord or master, emphasizing the idea of a person who is without a home or purpose.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'wandering person' ('ro' means wave or wandering, and 'nin' means person') — that's what a ronin is, someone who roams without a master.

Visually Confused Words