homeless

adjective

home·​less ˈhōm-ləs How to pronounce homeless (audio)
: having no home or permanent place of residence : unhoused
homelessness noun

Examples of homeless in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She was arrested for sleeping outside while homeless. Matt Mahan, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025 Other must reads How a law to ban homeless encampments threw a California city into chaos. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025 The city of Fullerton will begin enforcing stricter anti-camping rules, prohibiting homeless individuals from sitting, lying or sleeping in public spaces or storing their property on sidewalks and similar public spaces. Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2025 Infections have now spread to workers cleaning restrooms used by the homeless population, as many people who already have dysentery are not going to the hospital, and are continuing to use restrooms in homeless shelters. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for homeless

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of homeless was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Homeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeless. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

homeless

adjective
home·​less -ləs How to pronounce homeless (audio)
: having no home or permanent residence
homelessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on homeless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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