Vagabond: meaning, definitions and examples

Usually used to describe a person who wanders from place to place without a permanent home, often viewed romantically or adventurously.

• He lived like a vagabond, moving from town to town and living out of his backpack

Typically refers to a person who moves about aimlessly or without any long-term plans. It can have a slightly negative connotation as it implies a lack of stability or purpose.

• After losing his job, he became a drifter, taking on odd jobs wherever he could find them

Describes a member of a group of people or an individual who moves from place to place, usually following a traditional lifestyle of moving based on seasons or resources. It can be used positively to refer to modern individuals who travel frequently.

• The Bedouin are a nomadic people, well known for their ability to survive in the desert

Often used negatively to describe someone who travels on foot from place to place, typically without a home or job. It can suggest poverty and social exclusion.

• He spent years as a tramp, sleeping under bridges and begging for food

Use when referring to someone who moves from place to place without a fixed home, often with a sense of aimlessness or irresponsibility. This word sometimes has a negative connotation of being a drifter or vagrant.

• He lived as a vagabond for years, moving from town to town.
• The vagabond lifestyle eventually led him to isolation.

Use to describe someone who travels from place to place without a specific destination or purpose. This term can be neutral or positive, evoking a sense of exploration or adventure.

• He is a wanderer at heart, never staying in one place for too long.
• The poem tells the story of a lone wanderer journeying through the countryside.

Use when describing someone who lives an unconventional lifestyle, typically artistic and free-spirited, often in a way that rejects societal norms.

• She embraced a bohemian lifestyle, filled with art and creativity.
• The bohemian community in the city is known for its vibrant and eclectic art scene.

Use to describe someone who is independent, seeks freedom, and often lives by their own rules, valuing personal freedom above societal expectations.

• She is a free spirit, always traveling to new places and seeking adventure.
• As a free spirit, he prefers to follow his passions rather than conform to a traditional career.