hobo
2 synonyms for hobo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A homeless person who travels from place to place, historically often by illegally hopping freight trains.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Origin unknown; possibly a contraction of "ho, boy" or linked to an old dialect word for a country bumpkin.
Full origin of hobo →Frequently asked questions
What does “hobo” mean?
The word “hobo” means a homeless person who travels from place to place, historically often by illegally hopping freight trains. In plain terms, a wandering homeless traveler — or, separately, a slouchy style of handbag.
How do you pronounce “hobo”?
“Hobo” is pronounced HOH-boh (/ˈhoʊ.boʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hobo” in a sentence?
Here is “hobo” used in a sentence: “During the Great Depression, many hobos rode the rails looking for work.”
What part of speech is “hobo”?
“Hobo” is a noun.
Is “hobo” a common word?
“Hobo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hobo” have?
“Hobo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a homeless person who travels from place to place, historically often by illegally hopping freight trains.
