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.
Condrey is a writer, veteran and formerly homeless resident of San Diego. — David Lee Condrey, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026 There are growing concerns and confusion over Sacramento's new emergency shelter voucher program that helps homeless families. — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Suddenly homeless Venezuelans are sleeping in cars, parks and elsewhere without adequate emergency shelter available. — ABC News, 30 June 2026 The biggest portion — $525 million — subsidized the operations of nonprofit service providers that hold city and county contracts to deliver services directly to homeless people. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 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

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 7 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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