Mendicant: meaning, definitions and examples

beggar seeking alms

A mendicant is a person who survives by asking for money or food from strangers. In many cultures, mendicants are considered to be homeless and rely on the generosity of others to meet their basic needs.

beggar, panhandler, vagrant

Examples of usage

• He lived as a mendicant, wandering from village to village in search of charity.

• The mendicant approached the passersby with a humble expression, hoping for a few coins.

• She saw a group of mendicants outside the temple, waiting for donations.

• The mendicant's ragged clothes and weary appearance touched the hearts of the townspeople.

• Despite his status as a mendicant, he maintained a sense of dignity and pride.