1. a homeless or unemployed person; a beggar or vagrant, especially in Naples or southern Italy
Usage: historical; often used in reference to 18th–19th century Naples

Examples

• The lazzarone wandered the streets of Naples seeking alms.
• In the 18th century, lazzaroni formed a significant underclass in southern Italian cities.
• The novel depicted the struggles of a lazzarone trying to survive in poverty.
• Historical accounts describe lazzaroni gathering in public squares.
• The term lazzarone reflects the social conditions of pre-modern Naples.