beggar
14 synonyms and 2 antonyms for beggar, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who lives by asking others for money or food.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A person who lives by asking others for money or food.
“A beggar sat outside the church every morning.”
almsman
almswoman
cadger
caird
clochard
Lazarus
mendicant
mumper
panhandler
schnorrer
spanger
truant
Opposites
2. verb
To reduce someone to poverty, or to go far beyond what words or resources can describe or provide.
“The medical bills nearly beggared the family.”
pauperize
pauperise
Opposites
How to use beggar
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
beggars description
beggar someone
a beggar on the street
Etymology
From Middle English beggere, formed from "beg" plus the agent suffix "-ar/-er" — someone who begs.
Full origin of beggar →Frequently asked questions
What does “beggar” mean?
The word “beggar” means a person who lives by asking others for money or food. In plain terms, someone who begs for a living; as a verb, to ruin financially or to be beyond description.
How do you pronounce “beggar”?
“Beggar” is pronounced BEH-guh (/ˈbɛɡɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “beggar” in a sentence?
Here is “beggar” used in a sentence: “A beggar sat outside the church every morning.”
What is another word for “beggar”?
Words with a similar meaning to “beggar” include almsman, almswoman, cadger, caird, clochard and Lazarus.
What part of speech is “beggar”?
Depending on how it is used, “beggar” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “beggar” come from?
The word “beggar” comes from Middle English. From Middle English beggere, formed from "beg" plus the agent suffix "-ar/-er" — someone who begs.
Is “beggar” a common word?
“Beggar” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “beggar” have?
“Beggar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who lives by asking others for money or food.
