What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mendicant
Example
The mendicant friars would go from town to town, relying on the kindness of strangers for their daily bread. [mendicant: noun]
Example
He lived as a mendicant, wandering the streets with a cup in his hand, asking for spare change. [mendicant: adjective]
vagrant
Example
The police officer asked the vagrant to move along and not loiter in front of the store. [vagrant: noun]
Example
She had a vagrant lifestyle, traveling from city to city, never staying in one place for too long. [vagrant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vagrant is more commonly used than mendicant in everyday language, especially in the context of homelessness or social problems.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mendicant and vagrant?
Mendicant may be considered more formal or archaic than vagrant, which is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
