noun
pauper
PAW-puh
Pauper (noun) means a person who is very poor, especially one relying on charity or public assistance. Example: “He died a pauper after losing his fortune in the crash.”
noun
1
A person who is very poor, especially one relying on charity or public assistance.
"He died a pauper after losing his fortune in the crash."
"The Victorian workhouse system was built to deal with paupers."
How to use pauper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone with no money at all, dependent on others or the state.
When to use it
Sounds old-fashioned or literary today; "poor person" or "someone in poverty" is the everyday modern phrasing.
Common pairings
die a pauper
pauper's grave
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Word forms
- Plural
- paupers
- Third person singular
- paupers
- Past tense
- paupered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He died a _____ after losing his fortune in the crash.
Etymology
A direct borrowing from Latin pauper, meaning "poor" — the same root that gives us "poverty" and "impoverish."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for pauper
See all rhymes for pauper →Frequently asked questions
What does “pauper” mean?
The word “pauper” means a person who is very poor, especially one relying on charity or public assistance. In plain terms, someone with no money at all, dependent on others or the state.
How do you pronounce “pauper”?
“Pauper” is pronounced PAW-puh (/ˈpɔ.pɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pauper” in a sentence?
Here is “pauper” used in a sentence: “He died a pauper after losing his fortune in the crash.”
What is another word for “pauper”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pauper” include bankrupt, beggar, indigent, insolvent, have not and lack-all.
What is the opposite of “pauper”?
The opposite of “pauper” — its antonyms — are moneybags, plutocrat and tycoon.
What part of speech is “pauper”?
“Pauper” is a noun.
Where does the word “pauper” come from?
The word “pauper” comes from Latin. A direct borrowing from Latin pauper, meaning "poor" — the same root that gives us "poverty" and "impoverish.".
