penniless
/'penilis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Having no money; extremely poor: Describes a person who possesses no money at all, often implying a state of poverty where even basic needs are difficult to meet.
Usage
The adjective "penniless" is used to describe a person's financial state. It is a strong term indicating a complete lack of funds. - It typically comes before a noun (e.g., a penniless artist) or after a linking verb like "be," "become," or "leave." - It is more emphatic than simply saying "poor" or "broke."
Examples
- After the business failed, he was left penniless and homeless.
- The novel tells the story of a penniless young woman who moves to the city.
- They arrived in the new country, penniless but full of hope.
Advanced Usage
- "to be rendered penniless": to be made completely poor, usually by a specific event.
- The medical bills rendered the family penniless.
- "penniless state/condition": a formal way to describe the situation of having no money.
- The charity aims to help people escape their penniless condition.
Variants and Related Words
- Penury (noun): extreme poverty; destitution.
- The war plunged the population into penury.
- Impecunious (adjective): having little or no money. (More formal/literary synonym for penniless).
- The impecunious scholar could not afford new books.
Synonyms
- Destitute: lacking the means of subsistence; totally impoverished.
- Indigent: poor; needy.
- Broke (informal): having no money.
Antonyms
- Wealthy: having a great deal of money, resources, or assets.
- Affluent: having a great deal of money; wealthy.
- Solvent: having enough money to pay all debts.
Idioms and Phrases
- Flat broke: (informal) completely out of money. This is a common informal equivalent.
- After paying rent, I'm flat broke until next week.
- Without a penny to one's name: an idiom meaning to have no money or possessions.
- He started his business without a penny to his name.
Adjective
- not having enough money to pay for necessities