poverty

pov-er-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The state of being extremely poor; lack of money and material possessions.

  2. 2.

    The state of lacking a particular quality or thing; deficiency.

  3. 3.

    The renunciation of personal property by a member of a religious order.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    poverty line/level — The minimum income needed to meet basic needs.
  • •
    poverty trap — A situation that makes it difficult to escape poverty.
  • •
    below the poverty line — Earning less than the minimum income for basic needs.
  • •
    live in poverty — To be extremely poor.

Related words

Antonyms: affluence, prosperity, riches, wealth
See also: destitution, inequality, poor, wealth
Synonyms: destitution, indigence, neediness, penury, want

Etymology

From Old French poverte ("poverty, misery"), from Latin paupertas ("poverty"), from pauper ("poor").