noun
Uncommon
beggar
BEH-guh
Beggar (noun) means a person who lives by asking others for money or food. Example: “A beggar sat outside the church every morning.”
noun
1
A person who lives by asking others for money or food.
"A beggar sat outside the church every morning."
verb
1
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."
"The view from the summit beggars description."
How to use beggar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who begs for a living; as a verb, to ruin financially or to be beyond description.
Common mistake
"Beggars belief/description" is a set phrase meaning something is almost too extreme to put into words.
Common pairings
beggars description
beggar someone
a beggar on the street
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Word forms
- Plural
- beggars
- Third person singular
- beggars
- Past tense
- beggared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ sat outside the church every morning.
Etymology
From Middle English beggere, formed from "beg" plus the agent suffix "-ar/-er" — someone who begs.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
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