Vagrancy
noun
The state or action of living without a settled home, moving around a lot without a specific direction or purpose.
Living a life of vagrancy, George had no home and moved from place to place.

Often appears as...
- leads a life of vagrancy
- charged with vagrancy
noun
A crime of moving around with no home or job, often related to homelessness or begging.
Joe was arrested for vagrancy as he didn't have a permanent place to live and was constantly begging.

Often appears as...
- arrested for vagrancy
- charged with vagrancy
Usage tips
Formal
noun
In animal behavior, the stray into or beyond the normal habitat range.
The unusually warm weather caused vagrancy in several species, forcing them to move towards cooler regions.

Often appears as...
- species vagrancy
- migratory vagrancy
Usage tips
Formal
noun
The state or action of living without a settled home, moving around a lot without a specific direction or purpose.
Living a life of vagrancy, George had no home and moved from place to place.

Often appears as...
- leads a life of vagrancy
- charged with vagrancy
noun
A crime of moving around with no home or job, often related to homelessness or begging.
Joe was arrested for vagrancy as he didn't have a permanent place to live and was constantly begging.

Often appears as...
- arrested for vagrancy
- charged with vagrancy
Usage tips
Formal
noun
In animal behavior, the stray into or beyond the normal habitat range.
The unusually warm weather caused vagrancy in several species, forcing them to move towards cooler regions.

Often appears as...
- species vagrancy
- migratory vagrancy
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 3

Life instability
Vagrancy can imply instability in one's life choices or circumstances.

After losing his job, Mark spiraled into vagrancy, unsure of his next step.
Not derogatory
While 'vagrancy' describes a tough situation, it's not meant to insult or demean someone.

The novel explores the theme of vagrancy without judging its characters.
Literary theme
'Vagrancy' often appears in literature as a theme to discuss freedom or the search for meaning.

The protagonist's vagrancy symbolized his quest for personal truth.
Life instability
Vagrancy can imply instability in one's life choices or circumstances.

After losing his job, Mark spiraled into vagrancy, unsure of his next step.
Not derogatory
While 'vagrancy' describes a tough situation, it's not meant to insult or demean someone.

The novel explores the theme of vagrancy without judging its characters.
Literary theme
'Vagrancy' often appears in literature as a theme to discuss freedom or the search for meaning.

The protagonist's vagrancy symbolized his quest for personal truth.
Life instability
Vagrancy can imply instability in one's life choices or circumstances.

After losing his job, Mark spiraled into vagrancy, unsure of his next step.
Not derogatory
While 'vagrancy' describes a tough situation, it's not meant to insult or demean someone.

The novel explores the theme of vagrancy without judging its characters.
Literary theme
'Vagrancy' often appears in literature as a theme to discuss freedom or the search for meaning.

The protagonist's vagrancy symbolized his quest for personal truth.
Quote examples
Michelle Alexander
American Writer
After the end of slavery, African-American men were arrested in mass, and they were arrested for extremely minor crimes like loitering, standing around, vagrancy, or the equivalent of jaywalking - arrested and then sent to prison and then leased to plantations.

Quote examples
Glen Hansard
Irish Musician
In Irish law, busking is considered vagrancy - you can be arrested for it. It's risky asking people for money in public. So it's not like it's a high-art job. And people who do it as a high-art job make very little money.

Quote examples
Michelle Alexander
American Writer
After the end of slavery, African-American men were arrested in mass, and they were arrested for extremely minor crimes like loitering, standing around, vagrancy, or the equivalent of jaywalking - arrested and then sent to prison and then leased to plantations.

Quote examples
Glen Hansard
Irish Musician
In Irish law, busking is considered vagrancy - you can be arrested for it. It's risky asking people for money in public. So it's not like it's a high-art job. And people who do it as a high-art job make very little money.

Example 1 of 2
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension