Meaning & use

panhandler

noun·Academic

Last updated

A person who begs for money in a public place, such as a street or park.

See it in a sentence

A panhandler stood near the subway entrance asking commuters for change.

The city debated new rules restricting where panhandlers could ask for donations.

A note on using this word

Chiefly American English; 'beggar' is the more common term for the same thing in British English.

Words with a similar meaning

beggar

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