Gamin

A gamin is a young, street-smart child, especially a boy, who lives in the streets, often appearing mischievous, ragged, and sometimes neglected. Gamins typically fend for themselves, relying on resourcefulness and wit for survival, often engaging in petty thievery or other opportunistic behaviors. They are frequently associated with urban environments and poverty, embodying a spirit of independence and resilience despite their challenging circumstances. Gamins are characters often romanticized in literature and art, representing a blend of vulnerability and defiance.

Gamin meaning with examples

• The novel's protagonist, a spirited gamin, navigated the bustling city streets, his pockets often empty but his eyes always sharp for opportunity. He learned quickly how to dodge authority and scavenge for food, his survival depending on his quick thinking and agility. Despite the hardships, a spark of optimism flickered within the young gamin's heart, fueled by dreams of a better life.
• The artist's portrait depicted a gamin huddled in a doorway, his threadbare clothes failing to hide the determination in his eyes. The play of light and shadow emphasized his gaunt features, reflecting a life lived on the margins, a life where every day was a struggle for survival, making him and his story worthy of the canvas.
• Abandoned by his family, the small gamin learned to charm his way through life's difficulties, convincing café owners to give him scraps and other children to part with their earnings. He quickly found a network of other street kids, learning the unspoken laws of their world and finding a sense of belonging in their shared hardship.
• The detective, chasing a pickpocket in the crowded marketplace, was surprised at how quickly the gamin vanished in the throng, showing the streets were a natural habitat. The little rogue possessed an uncanny ability to blend into the background, like he had been born to the shadows, making him impossible to catch.
• As the famine ravaged the country, countless children became gamins, roaming the streets in search of sustenance. Their desperate eyes told the story of a broken world, where innocence had been replaced with the hard lessons of survival. Many succumbed to the harshness, but some found ways to endure.