beggar

1 of 2

noun

beg·​gar ˈbe-gər 

plural beggars

1

sometimes disparaging : someone who begs (see beg entry 1 sense 1)

especially : a usually unhoused person who lives by asking others for money, food, etc.

2

sometimes disparaging : a very poor person

… this system only created beggars, completely dependent on outside help …

—Darcy Ribeiro

3

British, informal : man, boy

an unlucky beggar

beggar

2 of 2

verb

beggared; beggaring ˈbe-gə-riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to reduce to poverty or the practice of asking for charity : to reduce to beggary

2

: to exceed the resources or abilities of : defy

beggars description

so outrageous as to beggar belief

Synonyms

Noun

• mendicant
• panhandler

Examples of beggar in a Sentence

Noun

I heard you won the contest! You lucky beggar!

the pitiful beggars that are such a common sight in underdeveloped countries

Verb

Years of civil war had beggared the country.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The beggars, widows, and families with sick relatives who once made a pilgrimage to the gates of the parliament building in the Green Zone to beg lawmakers for help are now barred from entry. —Ned Parker, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2012

All the beggars at the intersection of Lee Road and the off-ramp of I-4 are completely out of hand. —Ticked Off, Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2024

Verb

The fact that not a single senior party official numbered among her copious conspirators beggars credulity. —Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

Ria eventually uncovers a nefarious plot that beggars even euphemistic description in a spoiler-free universe. —Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English beggere, beggare, from beggen "to beg entry 1" + -ere, -are -er entry 2

Verb

Middle English beggeren, verbal derivative of beggere beggar entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing beggar

• beggar belief
• beggar description
• beggar-lice
• beggar-my-neighbour
• beggar's-lice
• beggar's-ticks
• beggar-thy-neighbor
• beggar-ticks

Kids Definition

beggar

1 of 2 noun

beg·​gar ˈbeg-ər 

1

: a person who lives by begging

2

: a very poor person : pauper

beggar

2 of 2 verb

beggared; beggaring ˈbeg-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to reduce to beggary

2

: to go beyond the ability of

the costumes almost beggar description