Pronunciation: [lˈandləs] (IPA) 
The word "landless" is spelled with four letter "l"s, indicating its emphasis on the "l" sound. The IPA transcription of this word is /ˈlændləs/, which shows the stress on the first syllable and the reduction of the final vowel to a schwa sound. The "a" in the second syllable is pronounced as a short "a" sound, while the "d" is followed by a silent "e". "Landless" is an adjective used to describe someone who does not own any property.
Landless is an adjective that describes individuals or groups who do not possess or have access to land. It implies a state of lacking or being deprived of land ownership or tenure. The term typically refers to people who are unable to claim any legal or lawful rights over property, often due to economic, social, or political circumstances.
Landlessness can be a result of various factors such as poverty, socioeconomic inequality, historical legacies, or restrictive land ownership laws. It may affect individuals living in rural or urban areas, although it is more commonly associated with rural communities dependent on agriculture or pastoralism.
In many societies, landownership is intertwined with social status, power, and economic opportunities. As a consequence, landless individuals or communities often face several challenges, including limited access to livelihoods, food insecurity, and vulnerability to displacement. Furthermore, the lack of land ownership can restrict their ability to secure loans, participate in decision-making processes, or exercise their political and social rights.
Addressing landlessness typically requires comprehensive land reform policies, including equitable distribution of land, improving access to land tenure rights, and providing support for sustainable agriculture and rural development. Landless individuals and communities often advocate for their rights through social movements, lobbying for policy changes, or engaging with international organizations focused on land rights or agrarian reform.
Without real estate or land.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "landless" comes from Middle English "londles", which originated from the combination of the words "land" and "-less".
The word "land" traces back to Old English "lond", which derived from Proto-Germanic "*landą". This root word broadly referred to the notion of "ground" or "earth". Over time, "land" specifically came to signify "territory" or "region".
The suffix "-less" is derived from Old English "-lēas", which means "lacking" or "devoid of". It is attached to nouns to create an adjective indicating the absence or lack of the noun's quality. In the case of "landless", the word signifies the state or condition of lacking land.
