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

A person who lives by asking others for money or food.

"A beggar sat outside the church every morning."

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."

"The view from the summit beggars description."

How to use beggar

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

beggared past tense, beggars plural, beggars singular

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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.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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almsman almswoman cadger caird clochard Lazarus mendicant mumper panhandler schnorrer spanger truant

Related words

absent mitch Lazarus friar almsman almswoman caird clochard

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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Words with old & middle English origins

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