This is the 5489th most frequent Japanese word.
うろつく
To wander or roam aimlessly.
The word 'うろつく' is used in this sentence to describe aimless wandering, often by children who are exploring or playing without a fixed direction.
公園で子供たちがうろついていました。
Children were wandering around in the park.
Here, 'うろつく' implies cautious or curious movement through a place with undefined paths or destinations, emphasizing exploration.
廃墟の中をうろつく探検者は何かを探しているようでした。
Explorers wandering around the ruins seemed to be searching for something.
In this context, 'うろつく' connotes a sense of aimlessness and potential risk tied to the activity of wandering without purpose or in an inappropriate context.