houseless

adjective

house·​less ˈhau̇slə̇s How to pronounce houseless (audio)
1
: destitute of the shelter of a house : shelterless, homeless
houseless wanderer
2
: destitute of houses
houseless desert
houselessness noun
plural -es

Word History

Etymology

Middle English housles, from hous + -les -less

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of houseless was in the 14th century

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Houseless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/houseless. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!