vagrancy

noun

va·​gran·​cy ˈvā-grən(t)-sē 

plural vagrancies

1

: the state or action of being vagrant

2

: the offense of being a vagrant

3

: vagary

Synonyms of vagrancy

• whim

Examples of vagrancy in a Sentence

a frequent victim to the vagrancies of the heart, she had a succession of passionate but short-lived romances

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, incidents like these occur far too frequently for some, who believe vagrancy and crime from surrounding neighborhoods is beginning to creep into Wedgwood Square. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026

So a magistrate dismissed the charges but sentenced both Black men to 90 days in the workhouse for vagrancy. —Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

The building, erected between 2005 and 2007, has drawn loiterers, break-ins, litter and other signs of vagrancy and neglect since CVS permanently closed the location in April 2022. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025

Many local government officials, reformers, and policymakers in the 19th century saw vagrancy laws as futile at best, cruel at worst. —Time, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

vagr(ant) entry 1 or vagr(ant) entry 2 + -ancy

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vagrancy

noun

va·​gran·​cy ˈvā-grən(t)-sē 

plural vagrancies

: the state or action of being vagrant

Legal Definition

vagrancy

noun

va·​gran·​cy ˈvā-grən-sē 

plural vagrancies

1

: the act or practice of wandering about from place to place

2

: the crime of wandering about without employment or identifiable means of support

the court struck down the vagrancy law as unconstitutionally vague

Note: Most vagrancy laws have been abolished.