homeless
Homeless (adj) means without a permanent place to live. Example: “The shelter provides beds for people who are homeless.”
How to Use Homeless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot having anywhere permanent to live.
Word Forms
homelesses plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The shelter provides beds for people who are _____.
Etymology
From Old English hāmlēas, literally "home-less," built from home plus the suffix -less.
Related Words
Rhymes for homeless
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “homeless” mean?
The word “homeless” means without a permanent place to live. In plain terms, not having anywhere permanent to live.
How do you pronounce “homeless”?
“Homeless” is pronounced HOHM-lihs (/ˈhoʊmlɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “homeless” in a sentence?
Here is “homeless” used in a sentence: “The shelter provides beds for people who are homeless.”
What part of speech is “homeless”?
“Homeless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “homeless” come from?
The word “homeless” comes from Old English. From Old English hāmlēas, literally "home-less," built from home plus the suffix -less.
Is “homeless” a common word?
“Homeless” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "homeless" and "unhoused"?
"Homeless" is the standard, widely understood word for someone without a permanent place to live. "Unhoused" is a newer alternative some people prefer to focus on the lack of housing rather than defining a person by not having a home; "homeless" remains far more common.
Can "homeless" be used as a noun?
"Homeless" is primarily an adjective, but it is often used with "the" to refer to people as a group, as in "the homeless." Many writers now prefer person-first wording such as "people experiencing homelessness" to avoid defining people solely by their situation.
What is the difference between "homeless" and "destitute"?
"Homeless" specifically means without a permanent place to live, while "destitute" means lacking money and basic necessities. A person can be homeless without being wholly destitute, and someone destitute may still have some form of shelter.
What are common collocations with "homeless"?
Common collocations include "homeless shelter," "homeless person," "homeless population," and "chronically homeless." These phrases appear frequently in news reports and social-service contexts.