Homeless
/ˈhoʊmləs/
Definitions
Having no home; without a place to live.
/ˈhoʊmləs/
Lacking a permanent place of residence.
Many homeless people struggle to find food and shelter.
💡 Simply: Homeless means someone doesn't have a house or apartment to live in. They might be living on the streets or in a shelter. It’s like when you go on vacation, but you don't have a place to stay!
👶 For kids: When someone doesn't have a house to sleep in, they are homeless.
More Examples
The organization provides services for the homeless population.
She volunteered at a homeless shelter every weekend.
How It's Used
"Researchers study the causes and effects of homelessness."
"The city is struggling to address the growing number of homeless individuals."
Idioms & expressions
a homeless shelter
A place that provides temporary housing for people without a permanent residence.
"The city opened a new homeless shelter to accommodate the growing number of individuals in need."
homeless crisis
A severe situation where there is a significant number of people without permanent homes.
"The homeless crisis is putting a strain on city resources."
From 'home' + '-less', indicating a lack of a permanent dwelling. Emerged in the late 18th century and gained prominence with urbanization and industrialization, becoming a major social concern.
The term gained traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with increased urbanization and social awareness of poverty. Initially used to describe vagrants and beggars.
Memory tip
Imagine a house with no people and no address – that's homeless!
Practice
Word Origin
Suffix: -less