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
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
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
Edward Barsamian
Usage of Hobo
Hobo functions as a neutral or positive self-descriptor. In general use, it is sometimes used disparagingly, but frequently the term carries 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
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
Matthew Power
hoboed; hoboing; hobos
: to live or travel in the manner of a hobo
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
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
The former, in which Burnett and Hamilton did a song-and-dance routine as Dust Bowl-era hobos, marked the first of several times that the two performed together.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Rich earth tones lean into the season’s palette, while hobo shapes and mini shoulder bags feel especially of-the-moment.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025
MakeMeChic Small Hobo Clutch Part hobo, part clutch, this red purse has a similar vibe to Lohan’s bag thanks to the front flap and fringe.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hobo
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Consider Madewell’s roomy hobo bag in dark brown (the perfect laptop bag) or Tory Burch’s crossbody option, as essentials to wear throughout the season; then spring for a new accompaniments—like minimalist-friendly gold earrings, a sleek belt, or classic sunnies in tortoise shell.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
The former, in which Burnett and Hamilton did a song-and-dance routine as Dust Bowl-era hobos, marked the first of several times that the two performed together.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Rich earth tones lean into the season’s palette, while hobo shapes and mini shoulder bags feel especially of-the-moment.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025
MakeMeChic Small Hobo Clutch Part hobo, part clutch, this red purse has a similar vibe to Lohan’s bag thanks to the front flap and fringe.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hobo
Cite this Entry
“Hobo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hobo. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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