# vagrant

/ˈveɪɡɹənt/ (US) · /vˈeɪɡɹənt/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vagrant
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a person who travels from place to place without a home or a job. This word is often used in old stories or legal rules to describe someone who does not have a permanent address.

For teachers: a person who wanders from place to place without a permanent home or job. Often carries a legal or historical connotation of being a person who does not work or pay taxes.

## Examples

- The old man was known as a vagrant who traveled the countryside.
- In many historical novels, the vagrant is portrayed as a mysterious traveler who brings trouble to the village.
- The term vagrant was frequently used in 19th-century legislation to describe individuals who were deemed to be a burden on the local parish because they lacked a fixed place of residence.

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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.