poverty

noun

pov·​er·​ty ˈpä-vər-tē 

often attributive

1

a

: the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions

b

: renunciation as a member of a religious order of the right as an individual to own property

2

: scarcity, dearth

3

a

: debility due to malnutrition

b

: lack of fertility

Synonyms

• beggary
• destituteness
• destitution
• impecuniosity
• impecuniousness
• impoverishment
• indigence
• necessity
• need
• neediness
• pauperism
• penuriousness
• penury
• poorness
• want

Choose the Right Synonym for poverty

poverty, indigence, penury, want, destitution mean the state of one with insufficient resources.

poverty may cover a range from extreme want of necessities to an absence of material comforts.

the extreme poverty of the slum dwellers

indigence implies seriously straitened circumstances.

the indigence of her years as a graduate student

penury suggests a cramping or oppressive lack of money.

a catastrophic illness that condemned them to years of penury

want and destitution imply extreme poverty that threatens life itself through starvation or exposure.

lived in a perpetual state of want

the widespread destitution in countries beset by famine

Examples of poverty in a Sentence

He was born in poverty.

There is a poverty of information about the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

Economic growth also led to a huge decline in poverty rates, which fell from over 55% in 2001 to approximately 20% by 2019. —Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

According to a report from the National Disability Institute, over 40% of adults with disabilities live in poverty, and 85% have no access to financial advisors who specialize in special needs planning. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 15 May 2025

While Medicaid traditionally was thought of as a health care program for individuals living in poverty who are unable to work, Obamacare dramatically loosened the eligibility requirements, which has allowed millions of able-bodied individuals to be added to the rolls. —The Editors, National Review, 15 May 2025

Nearly 25% of youths under the age of 18 live in poverty, with rates exceeding 90% in some neighborhoods, according to a report released this year by the venture philanthropy A Better Chicago. —Tio Hardiman, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poverte, from Anglo-French poverté, from Latin paupertat-, paupertas, from pauper poor — more at poor

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing poverty

• anti-poverty
• poverty line
• poverty-stricken
• poverty trap
• the poverty line

Rhymes for poverty

• antipoverty

Kids Definition

poverty

noun

pov·​er·​ty ˈpäv-ərt-ē 

1

: the state of being poor : lack of money or possessions : want

2

: a small supply : dearth

a poverty of information about the new disease

3

: lack of fertility

poverty of the soil

Medical Definition

poverty

noun

pov·​er·​ty ˈpäv-ərt-ē 

plural poverties

: debility due to malnutrition

evidence of poverty in calves