vagrancy

noun

va·​gran·​cy ˈvā-grən(t)-sē How to pronounce vagrancy (audio)
plural vagrancies
Synonyms of vagrancynext
1
: the state or action of being vagrant
2
: the offense of being a vagrant
3
: vagary

Synonyms of vagrancy

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Examples of vagrancy in a Sentence

a frequent victim to the vagrancies of the heart, she had a succession of passionate but short-lived romances
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.
So a magistrate dismissed the charges but sentenced both Black men to 90 days in the workhouse for vagrancy. — Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025 The Market Street properties are currently subject to frequent vagrancy and vandalism. — Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026 The rise in vagrancy, open drug use, aggressive panhandling, indecent exposure and public health hazards have made downtown residents feel increasingly unsafe in their own city. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025 Now, incidents like these occur far too frequently for some, who believe vagrancy and crime from surrounding neighborhoods is beginning to creep into Wedgwood Square. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vagrancy

Word History

Etymology

vagr(ant) entry 1 or vagr(ant) entry 2 + -ancy

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vagrancy was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

vagrance
vagrancy
vagrant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vagrancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vagrancy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vagrancy

noun
va·​gran·​cy ˈvā-grən(t)-sē How to pronounce vagrancy (audio)
plural vagrancies
: the state or action of being vagrant

Legal Definition

vagrancy

noun
va·​gran·​cy ˈvā-grən-sē How to pronounce vagrancy (audio)
plural vagrancies
1
: the act or practice of wandering about from place to place
2
: the crime of wandering about without employment or identifiable means of support
the court struck down the vagrancy law as unconstitutionally vague

Note: Most vagrancy laws have been abolished.

More from Merriam-Webster on vagrancy

Nglish: Translation of vagrancy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vagrancy

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