Word
homelessness
Phoneticshome·less·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhoʊmɫəsnəs/
UK/hˈəʊmləsnəs/
Uncountable noun Sociology
Definition
n. the state of not having a permanent place to live. It is a serious social problem where people live on the streets or in temporary shelters.
n. the condition of lacking stable, safe, and adequate housing. Often used in sociological contexts to describe the systemic lack of residential security.
Examples
“The city is trying to reduce homelessness by building more shelters.”
“Local charities provide food and medical care to people experiencing homelessness during the winter months.”
“Addressing chronic homelessness requires a multifaceted approach that combines immediate emergency housing with long-term mental health support and vocational training programs.”
Examples
simple
“The city is trying to reduce homelessness by building more shelters.”
contextual
“Local charities provide food and medical care to people experiencing homelessness during the winter months.”
complex
“Addressing chronic homelessness requires a multifaceted approach that combines immediate emergency housing with long-term mental health support and vocational training programs.”
Usage
Often appears as the object of the verb 'experience' or 'address' rather than 'have'.
Real-World Examples
“People usually end up coming back to homelessness for mental health or financial reasons.” “The total number of people released from prison has been rising, in part because of early release schemes, but the proportion released into homelessness has outpaced this.” “Of that, £8.4m will go to charities and other community organisations as part of the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund .” Etymology
From homeless + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/homelessness