What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hobo
Example
The hobo jumped onto the train and rode it to the next town. [hobo: noun]
Example
He lived like a hobo, traveling from place to place and working odd jobs to make ends meet. [hobo: adjective]
vagrant
Example
The police arrested the vagrant for sleeping in the park. [vagrant: noun]
Example
She was forced to live as a vagrant after losing her job and home. [vagrant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vagrant is more commonly used than hobo in everyday language, especially in legal and official contexts. Hobo is less common and may be seen as outdated or offensive in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hobo and vagrant?
Neither hobo nor vagrant are particularly formal words, but vagrant may be slightly more formal due to its usage in legal and official contexts.
