homeless

1 of 2

adjective

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

homelessness

2 of 2

noun

home·​less·​ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being homeless

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.
Adjective
Wardlaw, a homeless man who prosecutors said frequently slept on the Greenbelt and believed people on scooters were after him, was held in custody without bond. — Carolyn Komatsoulis updated July 13, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026 Authorities said the earthquakes have left 4,561 people dead, 16,740 injured and 17,907 homeless, while 6,462 people have been rescued since the disaster. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was pressed for answers Monday as a growing number of homeless men and women live on the sidewalks on Manhattan's West Side. — Dave Carlin, CBS News, 13 July 2026 The federal McKinney-Vento law requires school districts to identify and provide assistance to homeless students. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for homeless

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined above

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

Phrases Containing homeless

Browse Nearby Words

homeland
homeless
homelessness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Homeless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeless. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of homeless for Spanish Speakers

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