adj
B1
Intermediate
penniless
PEH-nih-luhs
Penniless (adj) means having no money at all; extremely poor. Example: “He arrived in the city penniless and slept in the train station.”
adj
1
Having no money at all; extremely poor.
"He arrived in the city penniless and slept in the train station."
"The gambling debts left the family virtually penniless."
How to use penniless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompletely broke, without a single penny.
Common pairings
left penniless
penniless and homeless
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He arrived in the city _____ and slept in the train station.
Etymology
From Middle English penyles — penny + -less.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for penniless
See all rhymes for penniless →Frequently asked questions
What does “penniless” mean?
The word “penniless” means having no money at all; extremely poor. In plain terms, completely broke, without a single penny.
How do you pronounce “penniless”?
“Penniless” is pronounced PEH-nih-luhs (/ˈpɛ.nɪ.ləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “penniless” in a sentence?
Here is “penniless” used in a sentence: “He arrived in the city penniless and slept in the train station.”
What part of speech is “penniless”?
“Penniless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “penniless” come from?
The word “penniless” comes from Middle English. From Middle English penyles — penny + -less.
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