homeless
homeless
Pronunciation
/ˈhoʊmləs/
home: /hoʊm/
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/oʊ/ - diphthong starting with a mid back rounded vowel and moving towards a high back rounded vowel
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
less: /ləs/
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/ə/ - mid central unstressed vowel (schwa)
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
Word Form Variations
Since "homeless" is an adjective, it doesn't have singular or plural forms like nouns do. However, it can have comparative and superlative forms:
Positive: homeless
Comparative: more homeless (This is used to compare the level of homelessness between two things.)
Superlative: most homeless (This is used to describe something that has the highest degree of homelessness among a group.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition 1: Lacking a permanent residence or home; without a place to live.
Synonyms: unsheltered, roofless, houseless, dispossessed, destitute
Antonyms: housed, sheltered, domiciled, resident
Definition 2: (Figurative) Lacking a sense of belonging or purpose; feeling alienated or adrift.
While "homeless" can be used as a noun to refer to people who are homeless, it's generally considered more sensitive and respectful to use person-first language, such as "people experiencing homelessness" or "individuals without homes."
Synonyms: lost, rootless, displaced, adrift, alienated
Antonyms: rooted, grounded, settled, secure, belonging
Examples of Use
Books:
Fiction: "The characters in 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck become homeless after being forced off their land during the Dust Bowl." (The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck)
Non-Fiction: "In 'Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,' Matthew Desmond explores the causes and consequences of eviction and homelessness in Milwaukee." (Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, Matthew Desmond)
Newspapers:
"'The city council approved a new plan to address the growing homeless population, including increased funding for shelters and affordable housing.'" (The New York Times, hypothetical example)
"'A recent study found a link between rising housing costs and the increase in homeless families.'" (The Guardian, hypothetical example)
Online Publications:
"An article on Vox.com examined the challenges faced by homeless youth, including access to education and healthcare." (Vox.com, hypothetical example)
"A blog post on Psychology Today discussed the mental health impacts of homelessness." (Psychology Today, hypothetical example)
Entertainment:
Film: "The movie 'The Pursuit of Happyness' depicts a man struggling with homelessness while trying to provide for his son." (The Pursuit of Happyness)
Television: "The character of Frank Gallagher in the TV show 'Shameless' experiences chronic homelessness and addiction." (Shameless)
Music: "The song 'Another Day in Paradise' by Phil Collins highlights the plight of homeless individuals." (Another Day in Paradise, Phil Collins)
Public Discourse:
Political speeches: "Politicians often debate the best policies to address homelessness, with proposals ranging from increased shelter beds to supportive housing programs."
Social media: "Hashtags like #EndHomelessness and #HousingForAll are used to raise awareness and advocate for solutions to the homelessness crisis."
Everyday conversations: "People may discuss the visible presence of homelessness in their communities and express concerns about its impact on individuals and society."
10 Famous Quotes Using Homeless
"The homeless are not faceless statistics; they are people with stories, struggles, and dreams." – Anonymous
"To those who are homeless, not by choice but by circumstance, we owe compassion, not judgment." – Barack Obama
"The worst poverty is the poverty of the heart, and even the richest man can be homeless in spirit." – Mother Teresa
"A society should be judged not by how it treats its outstanding citizens, but by how it treats its homeless and less fortunate." – Leo Tolstoy
"Home is not just a place; it is a feeling. The homeless are not just without shelter but without a sense of belonging." – Maya Angelou
"Being homeless is not a choice, but rather a journey that many find themselves on due to life’s unpredictable turns." – Anonymous
"The measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest members, including the homeless and the poor." – Mahatma Gandhi
"We who have homes must not forget those who are homeless, for their struggle is our moral responsibility." – Dalai Lama
"The homeless are not invisible; we have simply chosen not to see them." – Anonymous
"A nation that can land a man on the moon should not have homeless citizens sleeping on its streets." – Hubert H. Humphrey
Etymology
The word "homeless" is pretty straightforward to understand. It's made up of two simple parts:
"Home": This is a word we all know - the place where we live and feel safe.
"-less": This ending means "without" or "lacking."
So, put them together and "homeless" literally means "without a home."
While the word seems simple, it has a long history!
Old English Roots: A very similar word, "hamleas," existed in Old English (before 1150). "Ham" meant "home" and "leas" meant "without." So, the concept of being without a home has been around for a long time!
Modern Usage: The word "homeless" as we know it today popped up in the 1610s. Back then, it mostly described people who wandered from place to place without a fixed residence.
Over time, the meaning of "homeless" has evolved to encompass not just the physical lack of a house, but also the broader sense of lacking a safe, stable, and supportive environment. It's a word that carries a lot of weight and speaks to a complex social issue.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Homeless
You're right, it's surprisingly tricky to find many common idioms or phrases specifically using the word "homeless." This might be because:
Sensitivity: The topic of homelessness can be sensitive, and idioms often rely on lighthearted or metaphorical language that might feel inappropriate.
Directness: The word "homeless" is already quite direct and descriptive, so there's less need for figurative language to convey its meaning.
However, there are some less common phrases and idioms, plus those using synonyms, that capture similar ideas:
Phrases with "homeless"
"The homeless problem": This is a common way to refer to the social issue of homelessness, though some advocate for person-first language like "people experiencing homelessness."
"Homeless shelter/services": These phrases refer to resources and support for those without housing.
"Chronically homeless": This describes individuals who experience long-term or repeated episodes of homelessness.
Idioms with synonyms
"Out on the streets": This idiom vividly depicts the situation of having no shelter.
"Without a roof over one's head": This emphasizes the lack of basic shelter and security.
"Down and out": This idiom describes someone in a state of poverty and often implies homelessness.
"On the breadline": This refers to people living in extreme poverty, often on the verge of homelessness.
"Living rough": This describes a challenging and precarious existence without a proper home.
Original phrases
"Falling through the cracks": This metaphorically describes how people can become homeless due to gaps in social safety nets.
"Invisible to society": This highlights how homeless individuals can be overlooked or ignored.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of homeless from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
