noun
vagabond
VA-guh-bond
Vagabond (noun) means a person who wanders from place to place with no fixed home, often living hand to mouth. Example: “The old vagabond slept in a different town every night.”
noun
1
A person who wanders from place to place with no fixed home, often living hand to mouth.
"The old vagabond slept in a different town every night."
"He gave up his job and lived like a vagabond for a year, traveling with no plan."
adj
1
Wandering aimlessly, with no fixed direction or home.
"She led a vagabond life, never staying anywhere more than a few months."
How to use vagabond
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that drifts from place to place without a settled home.
When to use it
Slightly literary or old-fashioned; "drifter" or "wanderer" are more common in casual modern speech.
Common pairings
a vagabond life
wander like a vagabond
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Word forms
- Plural
- vagabonds
- Third person singular
- vagabonds
- Past tense
- vagabonded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old _____ slept in a different town every night.
Etymology
From Old French vagabond, from Late Latin vagabundus, from Latin vagari ("to wander"). Related to "vague," which comes from the same wandering root.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “vagabond” mean?
The word “vagabond” means a person who wanders from place to place with no fixed home, often living hand to mouth. In plain terms, someone (or something) that drifts from place to place without a settled home.
How do you pronounce “vagabond”?
“Vagabond” is pronounced VA-guh-bond (/ˈvæ.ɡə.bɑnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “vagabond” in a sentence?
Here is “vagabond” used in a sentence: “The old vagabond slept in a different town every night.”
What is another word for “vagabond”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vagabond” include bum, stiff, casual, clochard, derelict and dero.
What part of speech is “vagabond”?
Depending on how it is used, “vagabond” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “vagabond” come from?
The word “vagabond” comes from Late Latin. From Old French vagabond, from Late Latin vagabundus, from Latin vagari ("to wander"). Related to "vague," which comes from the same wandering root.
How many meanings does “vagabond” have?
“Vagabond” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who wanders from place to place with no fixed home, often living hand to mouth.
