vagabond

American  

[vag-uh-bond] / ˈvæg əˌbɒnd /

adjective

1. wandering from place to place without any settled home; nomadic.

   a vagabond tribe.

2. leading an unsettled or carefree life.

3. disreputable; worthless; shiftless.

4. of, relating to, or characteristic of a vagabond.

   vagabond habits.

5. having an uncertain or irregular course or direction.

   a vagabond voyage.

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noun

1. a person, usually without a permanent home, who wanders from place to place; nomad.

2. an idle wanderer without a permanent home or visible means of support; tramp; vagrant.

   Synonyms:

   loafer, hobo

3. a carefree, worthless, or irresponsible person; rogue.

   Synonyms:

   idler, knave

vagabond British  

/ ˈvæɡəˌbɒnd /

noun

1. a person with no fixed home

2. an idle wandering beggar or thief

3. (modifier) of or like a vagabond; shiftless or idle

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Related Words

See vagrant.

Other Word Forms

• vagabondage
  noun
• vagabondish
  adjective
• vagabondism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of vagabond

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English vagabound (from Old French vagabond ), from Late Latin vagābundus “wandering, vagrant,” equivalent to Latin vagā(rī) “to wander” + -bundus adjective suffix

Explanation

A vagabond is someone who moves around a lot. Picture Boxcar Willie, bandana on a stick thrown over his shoulder, going wherever the breeze takes him. Vagabond can also be an adjective, a nomadic tribe is a vagabond one, or the person who moved eight times in two years is living a vagabond life. It's from the Latin word vagabundus (from vagari, "wander") which means "inclined to wander." So — if you were born a ramblin' man, you might just be a vagabond.

Example Sentences

Pradhan said he hadn’t purchased insurance for the rebuilt plane, a 1948 Piper PA-15 Vagabond, since he had planned to ship the aircraft to Nepal in March.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2024

Vagabond said that an article that featured him in 2020 gave him an uncomfortable amount of exposure.

From New York Times • May 28, 2022

I picked the Vagabond class, a well-rounded and balanced fighter coming with a shield, long sword, Halberd and all that facial customization covered with a helmet and body in silver armor.

From Washington Times • Mar. 23, 2022

Nomadland is a less alienating and, in the end, more affirming exploration of female solitude on the margins than the profoundly sad Vagabond.

From Slate • Dec. 30, 2020

"Vagabond" means wandering; and we generally use the word to describe idle, worthless people, who go about begging or stealing, instead of working honestly to gain their own living.

From "Granny's Chapters" (on scriptural subjects) by Ross, Lady Mary

Related Words

• wanderer