# hobo

/ˈhoʊboʊ/ (US) · /hˈəʊbəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hobo
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. homeless traveler

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

a person who travels from place to place, often by hiding on trains, usually looking for work or living without a home.

For teachers: a migratory worker or homeless individual, specifically one who travels by rail; the term carries historical weight from the Great Depression era.

- In the old movies, the hobo would jump onto a moving train to travel across the country.
- The documentary explored the subculture of the American hobo, focusing on the secret symbols they left for one another near railroad tracks.

Usage: Often used historically; can be considered derogatory or offensive in modern contexts depending on the speaker's intent.

Teaching tip: Learners should be aware that while 'hobo' has a romanticized historical image, using it to describe a modern homeless person can be seen as insensitive or insulting.

### 2. handbag style

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a large, soft handbag with a curved shape that hangs from the shoulder.

For teachers: a style of large, crescent-shaped handbag characterized by a slouchy posture and a long strap designed to be worn over the shoulder.

- She bought a brown leather hobo bag that was big enough to hold all her books.
- The designer's spring collection featured an oversized hobo crafted from suede, emphasizing a relaxed, bohemian aesthetic.

Usage: Almost always appears in the compound 'hobo bag' or 'hobo style'.

### 3. to travel as a drifter

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · American English

to live or travel like a hobo, moving from place to place without a permanent home.

For teachers: to lead the life of a migratory worker or vagrant; to travel without a fixed destination or means of support.

- He spent his youth hoboing across the western states, taking odd jobs whenever he ran out of money.
- After losing his factory job, he spent several months hoboing through the Midwest before eventually finding steady work in Chicago.

## Examples

- The old stories tell of a hobo riding the rails across the country.
- During the Great Depression, many men lived as a hobo, jumping onto freight trains to find work in distant states.
- The folk songs of the era often romanticized the life of the hobo as one of ultimate freedom, despite the harsh realities of poverty and constant movement.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.