Tramp: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a person who walks long distances with no definite home, often carrying their belongings with them. It can have a slightly negative connotation, implying that the person is aimless or unrespectable.

• The old tramp wandered from town to town, looking for odd jobs.
• They felt pity for the tramp, who seemed so lost and tired.

Emphasizes a person who wanders from place to place without a permanent home, often with a sense of romantic freedom or rebellion. It can be used poetically.

• He lived the life of a vagabond, free from the ties of modern society.
• The novel tells the tale of a wandering vagabond seeking meaning in life.

Typically refers to a person who travels in search of work, often by hitching rides on freight trains. It has a more specific historical context related to the Great Depression in the United States and can carry a romanticized or nostalgic connotation.

• During the Great Depression, many hobos traveled across the country looking for employment.
• The hobo shared stories from the road, his life full of adventure and hardship.

Describes someone who moves from place to place without a fixed home or job. It often implies a sense of aimlessness or lack of direction in life.

• As a drifter, he never settled in one place for too long.
• The drifter was known for his unpredictable comings and goings.

Tramp is typically used to describe walking heavily or noisily, often in a tired or determined manner. It can also refer to a person who travels on foot and does not have a permanent home, usually implying a negative connotation.

• He heard the tramp of soldiers' feet approaching.
• The old tramp sat by the roadside, asking for change.

Stomp refers to walking with heavy steps, often as a sign of anger or frustration. It emphasizes the forceful impact of the feet on the ground.

• He stomped out of the room after the argument.
• The children were stomping around the playground.

March is used when describing walking in a rhythmic, organized manner, often part of a group like an army or during a protest. It implies a sense of purpose and order.

• The soldiers marched in perfect unison.
• Thousands marched through the streets in protest.

Stump describes moving heavily and awkwardly, often because of fatigue or injury. This term is less common and can also refer to being puzzled or unable to proceed.

• He stumped through the forest with a sprained ankle.
• The riddle was so hard, it completely stumped him.