poverty

/'pɔvəti/

Thân thiện

A family lives in poverty in a small, rundown apartment.

Definition

Noun: 1. The state of being extremely poor; lacking the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. This is the primary meaning, referring to a severe lack of money and material possessions. 2. (Figurative) The state of being insufficient in amount or inferior in quality. This extended meaning describes a scarcity or deficiency of non-material things, such as ideas, resources, or qualities.

Usage

The word "poverty" is an uncountable noun. It describes a condition or state, not individual instances. It is often used with prepositions like "in," "of," and "into."

Examples

• Referring to financial/material lack:

  • Millions of people live in extreme poverty.
  • The government has introduced new policies to reduce poverty.
  • The documentary highlighted the cycle of poverty in the region.

• Referring to a figurative lack:

  • The argument was criticized for its poverty of logic.
  • There is a poverty of affordable housing in the city center.

Advanced Usage

• "Poverty line" / "Poverty threshold": The minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. (Note: This is a compound term listed separately as per instruction).
  • Families living below the poverty line qualify for assistance.
• "Poverty-stricken": (Adjective) Suffering from extreme poverty.
  • The charity provides aid to poverty-stricken communities.
• "Abject poverty": A state of poverty so severe it involves misery and degradation.
  • The refugees were living in abject poverty.

Variants and Related Words

• Poor (adj): Having little money or few possessions. (e.g., )
• Impoverished (adj): Reduced to poverty. (e.g., )
• Pauper (n): A very poor person. (This is an old-fashioned or legal term).
• Indigence (n): (Formal) A state of extreme poverty.

Synonyms

• Destitution: Extreme poverty that leaves one without the means to provide for oneself.
• Penury: (Formal) Extreme poverty.
• Privation: A state in which things essential for human well-being (like food, shelter) are lacking.
• Neediness: The state of being in need.

Antonyms

• Wealth: An abundance of valuable possessions or money.
• Affluence: The state of having a great deal of money; wealth.
• Prosperity: The state of being successful, especially in financial terms.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Poverty trap: A situation in which an increase in income results in a loss of state benefits, leaving someone no better off, thus creating a disincentive to earn more.
  • Without access to education, it's hard to escape the poverty trap.
• Poverty of spirit: (Often used in religious contexts) A state of humility and recognition of one's need for God. In secular use, it can mean a lack of courage or vitality.
  • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

Từ đồng nghĩa

• poorness
• impoverishment