homeless
n. uncountablen. people who do not have a permanent place to live. You usually use this word with 'the' to talk about the whole group of people in a city or country.
n. people lacking a permanent residence or fixed housing. Used as a collective noun when preceded by the definite article; it functions as a plural noun without an 's' ending.
The city is building new shelters for the homeless.
Local charities provide hot meals and warm blankets to the homeless during the coldest months of winter.
Government initiatives aimed at supporting the homeless must address not only immediate housing needs but also the underlying issues of mental health and employment stability.
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”).
Functions as a collective plural noun when preceded by 'the'. It does not take a plural 's' — use 'homeless people' if you need a countable form.
There are many homelesses in the park.There are many homeless people in the park.The word is an adjective used as a collective noun; it cannot be pluralized with an 's'.