English Explanatory Dictionary

poverty

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The quality or state of being poor; lack of money
  2. A deficiency of something needed or desired

Pronunciation

/ˈpɒvəti/ /ˈpɑːvɚti/ en-us-poverty.ogg

Word forms

poverty poverties

Etymology

From Middle English poverte, from Old French poverté (Modern French pauvreté), from Latin paupertās, from pauper (“poor”) + -tas (“noun of state suffix”). Cognates include pauper, poor.

Synonyms

beggary brokeness destitution impecuniosity impecuniousness indigence mendicancy mendicity misery neediness pauperism penury poverty privation reduced circumstances straitened circumstances

Antonyms

abundance decadence lap of luxury luxury riches richness wanting for nothing wealth wealthiness

Related words

impoverish poor poorness aporophobia broke-ass hardship have nothing to lose keep the wolf from the door possessionlessness impoverished pauper

Derived words

antipoverty digital poverty energy poverty fuel poverty furniture poverty hygiene poverty income poverty nonpoverty period poverty poverty grass poverty is a mindset poverty is a state of mind povertyism poverty line poverty of the stimulus poverty poker poverty porn poverty-ridden poverty-stricken poverty-struck poverty trap povo primary poverty secondary poverty transport poverty ultrapoverty
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