having nowhere to live (as collective noun; preceded by the): the homeless
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
home•less /ˈhoʊmlɪs/USA pronunciation
adj. of or serving people having nowhere to live:homeless shelters.
n. the homeless. [plural* used with a plural verb]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- having nowhere to live;
living on the streets:homeless people.
n. the homeless. [plural* used with a plural verb]
- people who have nowhere to live, or who live on the streets.
home•less
(hōm′lis),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
home ′less•ly, adv.
home ′less•ness, n.
- without a home: a homeless child.
n.
- the homeless, persons who lack permanent housing.
- 1605–15
home ′less•ness, n.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'homeless child' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):