What does excursionist mean?
An excursionist is a person who takes an excursion — typically a short journey made for pleasure rather than necessity or long-term travel. The word is most naturally applied to day-trippers: people who visit a seaside resort, historic town, or scenic spot briefly and return home the same day. It entered English in the nineteenth century, when expanding railway networks made affordable group outings possible and created a new class of leisure traveller. In tone, excursionist is somewhat formal and now slightly dated; modern speech usually prefers tourist, visitor, or day-tripper. When it does appear, it can carry a faint suggestion of casual or superficial sightseeing — someone who skims the highlights rather than travelling in depth — though it need not be derogatory. Writers sometimes choose it deliberately for its Victorian flavour, evoking brass bands, charabancs, and crowded excursion trains bound for the coast.
nounA person who goes on an excursion, especially a short pleasure trip or outing. The term is often used of travellers taking brief trips for leisure rather than serious or extended travel.
- A person who goes on a short pleasure trip or outing; a day-tripper or casual sightseer.
"The coastal town fills with excursionists every summer weekend."
"The railway offered cheap fares that brought thousands of excursionists to the seaside."
"Unlike seasoned backpackers, the excursionists stayed close to their coach and returned by nightfall."
Regular plural; used when referring to groups of day-trippers or pleasure travellers.
"The island welcomes thousands of excursionists during the holiday season."
Before 'tourist' caught on in the 19th century, railways and guidebooks were full of 'excursionists' — the original word for the day-trip crowd.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of excursionist
Excursionist derives from excursion, which comes from Latin excursio, meaning 'a running out' or 'sally', from excurrere ('to run out'), formed from ex- ('out') plus currere ('to run'). The agent suffix '-ist' was added in the nineteenth century to denote a person who makes such trips. Cognates from the same Latin root include excursus (a digression in writing) and excursive.
How excursionist is actually used
Somewhat formal or old-fashioned in tone; 'tourist' or 'day-tripper' is more common in everyday modern usage. Often carries a mild connotation of casual or superficial sightseeing rather than serious travel.
Easily confused with excursionist
An excursion is the trip itself, while an excursionist is the person taking the trip.