vagabond

Definitions

From Latin vagābundus ('wandering about'), built on vagārī (to wander). A vagabond is vagus made into a person — someone roaming with no fixed home. Unlike vagrant, it often carries a romantic, carefree flavor: the free spirit of the open road.

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He spent his twenties living like a vagabond, never staying anywhere long.

• 2.

  The novel follows a vagabond poet across half of Europe.

• 3.

  They led a vagabond life, moving wherever the work was.

Easily Confused

vagabond vs vagrant — Both name a homeless wanderer, but the tone differs. vagabond leans romantic or carefree (a free-spirited traveler), while vagrant leans legal and grim (a homeless person treated as an offender). Choosing the open road → vagabond; pitied or moved on by police → vagrant.