Peripatetic means moving from place to place, especially for work or study. A peripatetic music teacher might visit three different schools in one week, carrying her violin case from classroom to classroom. A peripatetic salesperson travels constantly, meeting clients in different cities rather than working from one office.

Today, peripatetic usually describes someone whose job requires constant travel. A peripatetic nurse might work at several hospitals or clinics. A peripatetic consultant flies from one company to another, solving problems wherever they're needed. Some people love the peripatetic lifestyle, thriving on variety and new places. Others prefer staying in one location, finding it exhausting to always be on the move.

Peripatetic can also be a noun, meaning a person who travels from place to place, especially for work.

You might also see the word used more generally to mean wandering or roaming: a peripatetic journey through Europe, or a peripatetic conversation that moves from topic to topic. The key idea is movement rather than staying put.