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

In no state do TANF benefits reach even 60% of the poverty level for a family of three. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025

In recent years, Puerto Rico has faced the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, earthquakes, ongoing power grid failures, one of the highest poverty rates in the US, and an economic crisis. —Lola Mendez, Architectural Digest, 15 Jan. 2025

Mississippi has made progress in reducing the poverty rate gap between white and Black Americans, but stands out in improving voter participation. —Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025

Recall that the Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid eligibility to individuals earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. —Robert Pearl, Forbes, 13 Jan. 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

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