English Explanatory Dictionary

impoverish

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make poor.
  2. To weaken in quality; to deprive of some strength or richness.
  3. To become poor.

Pronunciation

/ɪmˈpɒv(ə)ɹɪʃ/ En-us-impoverish.oga

Word forms

impoverish impoverishes impoverishing impoverished

Etymology

From Middle English empoverishen, impoverishen, empoverischen, enpoverisshen, Anglo-Norman empoveriss-, from Old French empoverir, from em- + povre, from Latin pauper (“poor”) (English poor).

Synonyms

beggar depauperate depauperize destitute embeggar empoverish immiserate impoor impoverish pauperize poor poverish ruin deplete

Antonyms

enrich

Derived words

impoverishee impoverisher impoverishment
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