homeless

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'homeless' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is living without a home. For example, "The homeless shelter is providing food and shelter to those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While Williams' going to college helped him escape homelessness, for Danae Vachata going to college meant becoming homeless.

The Guardian - Money

Homelessness has been rising in BME communities since 2001, when 28% of homeless households were from a BME background.

The Guardian

We won't be able to provide Christmas lunch for the homeless now and about 50 people who were sleeping here will be homeless over Christmas.

The Guardian

BME people constitute one in seven of the UK population, yet they represent more than one in three of those accepted as statutorily homeless.

The Guardian

Those they've inspired are often connecting with their local foodbanks and homeless shelters in a way they might not have done before the campaign.

The Guardian

She had been deliberately homeless ever since and could never bring herself to sleep inside a house.

The Guardian - Opinion

I apologise for not having asked if he eats meat (because there is some in his sandwich) but the homeless man with a nice voice just smiles and thanks us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was separated from his mother and trafficked into England at the age of 10 before being left homeless on the streets of London – he had also never played American football until last year.

The Guardian - Sport

Outside court No 1 a man who claimed to be homeless attempted to hand a letter of protest to FitzPatrick as he was led in.

The Guardian - Business

I didn't tell anybody in my class or in my school that I was homeless and I don't think they realized the facts, because I was always in scrubs," she says.

The Guardian - Money

The tense atmosphere was broken by passersby who gave protesters fruit and cakes, and a friendly police officer who corrected a spelling mistake in chalking on the pavement: "Trying to help homeless evicted on Christmas Eve".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "homeless" individuals, prioritize person-first language (e.g., "people experiencing homelessness") to emphasize their humanity and avoid defining them solely by their housing status.

Common error

Don't assume that all "homeless" individuals share the same background or experiences. Factors leading to homelessness are varied and complex, including economic hardship, mental health issues, and lack of affordable housing.

Linguistic Context

The term "homeless" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a state of lacking a permanent residence. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of "homeless" in written English, indicating that it effectively conveys the absence of a home.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "homeless" functions primarily as an adjective denoting the state of lacking a fixed residence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While highly frequent in News & Media contexts, its register remains neutral, spanning various domains. When writing about individuals experiencing homelessness, prioritize person-first language. Remember that homelessness stems from complex, varied causes, and avoid generalizations. Alternatives include "without a home" or "lacking shelter".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without a home

Focuses on the lack of a physical dwelling.

lacking shelter

Emphasizes the absence of protection from the elements.

unsheltered

A more direct synonym for lacking shelter.

displaced

Highlights the condition of being forced from one's home.

of no fixed abode

A formal and legalistic way to describe homelessness.

rootless

Implies a lack of connection to a specific place or community.

without residence

Highlights the lack of any permanent dwelling.

street people

Refers to people who live on the streets.

rough sleepers

Specifically refers to people who sleep outdoors.

in a state of vagrancy

Focuses on the legal status of being without a fixed home.

FAQs

How to use "homeless" in a sentence?

You can use "homeless" to describe someone lacking a permanent residence, as in "The city provides shelters for "homeless people"" or "She became "homeless after the fire"".

What can I say instead of "homeless"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "without a home", "lacking shelter", or "unsheltered".

Is it better to say "homeless person" or "person experiencing homelessness"?

"Person experiencing homelessness" is often preferred because it emphasizes that homelessness is a temporary situation, not a defining characteristic. It promotes person-first language.

What are the main causes of homelessness?

Homelessness is a complex issue with many contributing factors, including lack of affordable housing, poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Each individual's situation is unique.