Ragamuffin: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a child who looks messy and is dressed in old or dirty clothes.

• The little ragamuffin ran through the alley with a grin on his face.
• She adopted the ragamuffin and gave him new clothes and a home.

Usually implies a child who is dirty and poorly dressed, often living on the streets. It can also have a playful or mischievous connotation.

• The young urchin sneaked into the bakery to beg for some bread.
• A group of urchins played by the river, their laughter echoing through the town.

Describes a very thin, fragile-looking child who is often found abandoned or with no home.

• The poor waif shivered in the cold, with no one to care for her.
• He felt a pang of sympathy when he saw the waif's sad, hungry eyes.

A general term for a child who lives and/or works on the streets, often in a difficult situation.

• Many organizations are working to provide education for street children.
• She noticed a street child selling flowers on the corner every morning.

Refers to a street-smart, mischievous, or playful child, often found without a home.

• The gamin darted between the cars, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
• Despite his circumstances, the gamin always seemed cheerful and full of life.