hobo

[hoh-boh]

noun

plural

hobos, hoboes 

1. a tramp or vagrant.

2. a migratory worker.

hobo

/ ˈhəʊbəʊ /

noun

1. a tramp; vagrant

2. a migratory worker, esp an unskilled labourer

Other Word Forms

• hoboism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hobo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of hobo¹

C19 (US): origin unknown

Example Sentences

The Times, in an editorial, warned of “an army of floaters and drifters and plain hobos now headed to Southern California from all parts of the United States.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Going back to the 1800s, the city keeps “tramps,” “hobos,” “vagrants” and “winos” off the streets by locking them up in jail or sending them to work at the county “poor farm.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When you think about the folk era, when it was really hot — burning hot — it was hobos on freighters writing songs about social injustice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The network once demanded that they change the line “that albino stole my midget” to “that madman stole my hobo.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Yes, it wasn't a boy; it was a little girl, but I couldn't tell because she was dressed like a hobo.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• drifter 
• homeless person www.thesaurus.com
• tramp 
• unhoused person www.thesaurus.com
• wanderer