hobo

1 of 2

noun

ho·​bo ˈhō-(ˌ)bō 

plural hoboes also hobos

1

often disparaging; see usage paragraph below : a usually very poor person who has no permanent residence and travels from place to place especially by furtively hopping (see hop entry 1 sense transitive 2) trains

It should be noted that much of the discussion about the park … involved whether a fence needed to be built around the park to discourage the hobos and tramps, who traveled along the railroad, from taking up residence in the park.

—Kevin Dayhoff

also : a migrant worker

Hoboes travel across the country by hopping onto trains (although other modes of transportation are also acceptable), but crucially they work for their living, performing seasonal labor and taking on odd jobs.

—Marguerite Happe

2

or less commonly hobo bag : a large shoulder bag shaped like a pouch

To punctuate the all-blue outfit, the actress slung on an unstructured, oversized suede hobo, a practical antidote to the current craze for fanny packs and mini bags.

—Edward Barsamian

Usage of Hobo

Hobo functions as a neutral or positive self-descriptor. In general use, it is sometimes used disparagingly, but in some contexts the term has carried positive connotations from its association with an adventurous life that is free of obligation.

The hobo never knows what is going to happen the next moment; hence, he lives only in the present moment. He has learned the futility of telic endeavor, and knows the delight of drifting along with the whimsicalities of Chance.

—Jack London

I imagined a hobo's life would be a fine thing. I would sleep in haystacks and do exactly what I wanted all the time.

—Matthew Power

hobo

2 of 2

verb

hoboed; hoboing; hobos

intransitive verb

: to live or travel in the manner of a hobo

Synonyms of hobo

Noun

• beggar
• tramp
• bum
• vagabond
• vagrant

Examples of hobo in a Sentence

Noun

kind folks who always gave hoboes who came to the farm a meal and then sent them on their way

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Per usual with movies like this, spelling out the terror (the roots are in hobo codes and religious legend) becomes, regrettably, a shock absorber, not a facilitator. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026

Schneider plays David, a reticent young man with the soulful-hobo air of a Beat poet, who makes a living as an events photographer but whose private passion is a secretive lifelong project, inherited from his father, documenting the changing Parisian suburbs. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 18 May 2026

Whether it’s used as an everyday bag or a supplement to your airport lineup, this versatile hobo bag seamlessly adapts to any occasion. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026

Brown accessories are mainstays for the supermodel—soft loafers, a hobo bag, belt, and sunglasses, all in a chocolate tone, offer those finishing touches that never lose their urban appeal. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1892, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hobo

• hobo bag

Rhymes for hobo

• bobo
• lobo
• oboe

Kids Definition

hobo

noun

ho·​bo

ˈhō-bō

plural hoboes also hobos

: a homeless and usually penniless wanderer : tramp

hobo verb