Meaning & use
tramps
Last updated
“tramps” is a form of “tramp”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluraloffensive
people who have no home or job and move from place to place, often sleeping outside or asking for money.
Grammar: This is the plural of the countable noun 'tramp'; use it for more than one person.
Patterns
- a group of tramps
- tramps sleeping rough
The city opened a shelter for tramps and other homeless people.
In the novel, two tramps wander the countryside looking for work.
nounpluralBritish
long, heavy walks over rough ground or through the countryside.
Grammar: Used mainly in British English; the singular 'tramp' is countable.
Patterns
- go for a tramp
- a long tramp through the woods
We went for a ten-mile tramp across the moors.
After a long tramp through the snow, we were ready for a hot meal.
nounplural
the sound of heavy footsteps, or the act of walking heavily.
Grammar: Usually used in the singular 'tramp' for the sound; the plural is less common.
Patterns
- the tramp of feet
- the tramp of boots
We heard the tramp of boots on the stairs.
The tramp of marching soldiers echoed down the street.
Word forms
| singular | tramp |
|---|
Common combinations
- a tramp steamer
- The old tramp steamer carried goods between small ports.
- tramps and beggars
- The novel describes a world of tramps and beggars.
- tramp through the snow
- They tramped through the snow for hours.
Synonyms and how they differ
- vagrant
- More formal and legal-sounding; often used in official contexts, while 'tramp' is more everyday and can be offensive.
- hobo
- American English and informal, sometimes humorous; refers to a homeless person who travels and works occasionally.
- homeless person
- Neutral and respectful; use this instead of 'tramp' in most modern contexts.
Word family
- tramp verb
- To walk heavily or for a long distance.
Commonly confused: tramps or tram?
tramps vs tram
A tram is a vehicle that runs on rails in a city; a tramp is a person or a long walk. They sound similar but are completely different.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'tramps' correctly and respectfully?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 uses 'tramps' to mean homeless people in a neutral, factual way. Option 0 confuses 'tramps' with 'trams' (vehicles). Option 2 uses 'tramps' as a verb but the meaning 'kicks' is not correct. Option 3 uses 'tramps' for sounds, but the plural 'tramps' is not used that way; the singular 'tramp' would be needed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tramps”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.