homeless
n.-
1 people without homes (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatepeople who do not have a home, spoken about as a group.
a collective noun referring to people who lack permanent housing. It is always used with the definite article 'the' and takes a plural verb.
ExampleThe city opened a new shelter to help the homeless find a safe place to sleep.
ExampleAdvocacy groups argue that simply providing beds for the homeless is insufficient without addressing the underlying causes of housing insecurity.
UsageAlways used as 'the homeless' to refer to the group.
Teacher's tipWhile 'the homeless' is common in journalism, many modern style guides prefer 'people experiencing homelessness' to be more person-centred.
- the unhoused
PitfallThere are many homelesses in this city.There are many homeless people in this city.You cannot use 'homeless' as a countable noun with an 's'. Use 'the homeless' for the group or 'homeless people' for individuals.
From Middle English homles, hamles, from Old English hāmlēas (“homeless”), equivalent to home + -less. Cognate with Dutch heemloos, Danish hjemløs (“homeless”), Swedish hemlös (“homeless”). Compare also German heimatlos (“homeless”), Icelandic heimilislaus (“homeless”), West Frisian dakleas (“homeless”, literally “having no roof, roofless”).
- Nounhomelessness
- Adjectivehomeless