poverty
PO-vuh-tee
Poverty (noun) means the state of being poor; lacking enough money to meet basic needs. Example: “The charity works to reduce child poverty in the region.”
noun
1
The state of being poor; lacking enough money to meet basic needs.
"The charity works to reduce child poverty in the region."
"They grew up in poverty but never went hungry."
"Many families in the area struggled to escape poverty after the factory closed."
2
A serious lack of something needed or valued.
"The debate suffered from a poverty of new ideas."
"The film suffers from a poverty of imagination in its final scenes."
"Critics noted the poverty of evidence behind the company's bold claims."
How to use poverty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot having enough money or resources to live comfortably — or, more broadly, a serious lack of something.
Common pairings
live in poverty
poverty line
child poverty
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Word forms
- Plural
- poverties
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The charity works to reduce child _____ in the region.
Etymology
From Old French poverté, from Latin paupertas, from pauper, "poor" — the same root as "pauper" and "poor".
Synonyms
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hardship
deprivation
impoverishment
need
hard times
beggary
brokeness
destitution
impecuniosity
impecuniousness
indigence
mendicancy
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for poverty
See all rhymes for poverty →Frequently asked questions
What does “poverty” mean?
The word “poverty” means the state of being poor; lacking enough money to meet basic needs. In plain terms, not having enough money or resources to live comfortably — or, more broadly, a serious lack of something.
How do you pronounce “poverty”?
“Poverty” is pronounced PO-vuh-tee (/ˈpɑːvɚti/ in IPA).
How do you use “poverty” in a sentence?
Here is “poverty” used in a sentence: “The charity works to reduce child poverty in the region.”
What is another word for “poverty”?
Words with a similar meaning to “poverty” include beggary, brokeness, destitution, impecuniosity, impecuniousness and indigence.
What is the opposite of “poverty”?
The opposite of “poverty” — its antonyms — are abundance, decadence, lap of luxury, luxury and riches.
What part of speech is “poverty”?
“Poverty” is a noun.
Where does the word “poverty” come from?
The word “poverty” comes from Latin. From Old French poverté, from Latin paupertas, from pauper, "poor" — the same root as "pauper" and "poor".
Is “poverty” a common word?
“Poverty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What are the types of poverty?
Poverty is often divided into absolute and relative. Absolute poverty means lacking the basic necessities for survival, such as food, clean water, and shelter. Relative poverty means having far less than the typical standard in one's own society, so a person may fall behind even in a wealthy country.
What is the opposite of poverty?
The opposite of poverty is wealth, affluence, or prosperity, having more than enough money to meet one's needs comfortably. Related terms include riches and abundance. Where poverty is defined by scarcity and going without, its antonyms describe security, plenty, and the freedom that financial comfort brings.
What causes poverty?
Poverty has many overlapping causes. They include unemployment and low wages, poor access to education and healthcare, conflict, and natural disasters. Wider factors such as economic downturns, inequality, and discrimination can trap people or whole communities in hardship. Rarely does a single cause act alone; several usually combine.
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