What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mendicancy
Example
The city has laws against mendicancy, making it illegal to beg for money on the streets. [mendicancy: noun]
Example
He resorted to mendicancy after losing his job and being unable to find another one. [mendicancy: gerund or present participle]
vagrancy
Example
The police arrested him for vagrancy since he had no fixed address and was sleeping on the streets. [vagrancy: noun]
Example
She chose a life of vagrancy, traveling from town to town and living off odd jobs. [vagrancy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vagrancy is more commonly used than mendicancy in everyday language. Vagrancy is a more versatile term that can be used to describe a variety of situations related to homelessness and lack of permanent housing, while mendicancy is a more specific term that is less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mendicancy and vagrancy?
Both mendicancy and vagrancy are formal words that are typically used in academic or legal contexts. However, vagrancy may be used in more informal contexts as well, while mendicancy is less commonly used in everyday conversation.
