Vagrancy: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in legal or academic contexts to describe the state of wandering and having no permanent residence, often viewed negatively.

• The city has strict laws against vagrancy.
• Historical records show a rise in vagrancy during economic downturns.

A broad and neutral term for describing the condition of not having a stable and permanent place to live. Used in social work, journalism, and policy discussions.

• The government launched a new initiative to combat homelessness.
• Homelessness rates have increased over the past decade.

An informal and somewhat outdated term used to describe a person who travels from place to place, often in search of work. Can be used in literature or colloquial speech but might have negative undertones.

• The old tramp wandered into town again, looking for odd jobs.
• In the novel, the protagonist lives as a tramp, moving from city to city.

Refers specifically to the act of asking for money or food, usually on the streets. This term can carry a negative connotation.

• He was arrested for begging in the subway.
• Begging is often the last resort for those facing extreme poverty.