How to pronounce homeless
Say it like HOHM-lus. Homeless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce homeless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOHM
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Homeless pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of homeless
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOHM-lis.
What does homeless mean?
- someone unfortunate without housing“a homeless was found murdered in Central Park”
- poor people who unfortunately do not have a home to live in“the homeless became a problem in the large cities”
- without nationality or citizenship“stateless persons”
- physically or spiritually homeless or deprived of security“made a living out of shepherding dispossed people from one country to another”
Where does homeless come from?
From Middle English *homles, *hamles, from Old English hāmlēas (“homeless”), equivalent to home + -less.
Questions about saying homeless
How do you pronounce homeless?
Say HOHM-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊmləs/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊmlɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in homeless?
Homeless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHM). Broken into parts: HOHM · lus.
Is homeless pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhəʊmlɪs/ (HOHM-lis).