Vagrants: meaning, definitions and examples

Repeated entry; see initial context.

• The city has set up shelters to help vagrants during the winter months.
• Many vagrants were found living in abandoned buildings.

A neutral and socially sensitive term that refers to individuals who do not have a permanent residence.

• The local nonprofit agency provides meals and shelter for homeless people.
• The government is working on new programs to support homeless people.

An old-fashioned and somewhat negative term for people who travel aimlessly, often living off the land or small-time work.

• In the novel, the protagonist meets a tramp who shares stories of his travels.
• The tramps were known to sleep under the railway bridges.

This describes people who ask for money or food on the street. It carries a negative connotation and focuses on the act of asking for charity.

• There are many beggars near the train station.
• He was approached by beggars asking for spare change.

Used to describe homeless people who live on the streets, often implying they have no means of support. It can have a negative connotation.

• The city is trying to find a solution for the increasing number of vagrants in public parks.
• The shelter provides temporary accommodation for vagrants.

Describes people who wander from place to place without a settled home or regular work. Often used in literary or poetic contexts, and can carry a romantic or adventurous connotation.

• He lived as a vagabond for years, traveling from town to town with only a backpack.
• The novel tells the story of a young vagabond exploring Europe.

Refers to people who move from place to place, typically in search of food, pasture, or work. Often used in anthropological or sociological contexts.

• The nomads travel across the desert in search of water and grazing land for their animals.
• Modern digital nomads work remotely from different locations around the world.

Describes people who travel aimlessly without a fixed destination. It can be used in both positive and neutral contexts.

• The mountains are full of adventurous wanderers seeking solitude.
• He was a wanderer at heart, never staying in one place for too long.