beggar

American  

[beg-er] / ˈbɛg ər /

noun

1. a person who begs alms or lives by begging.

2. a penniless person.

3. a wretched fellow; rogue.

   the surly beggar who collects the rents.

4. a child or youngster (usually preceded bylittle ).

   a sudden urge to hug the little beggar.

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verb (used with object)

1. to reduce to utter poverty; impoverish.

   The family had been beggared by the war.

2. to cause one's resources of or ability for (description, comparison, etc.) to seem poor or inadequate.

   The costume beggars description.

beggar British  

/ ˈbɛɡə /

noun

1. a person who begs, esp one who lives by begging

2. a person who has no money or resources; pauper

3. ironic fellow

   lucky beggar!

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verb

1. to be beyond the resources of (esp in the phrase to beggar description )

2. to impoverish; reduce to begging

Other Word Forms

• beggarhood noun

Etymology

Origin of beggar

First recorded in 1175–1225, beggar is from the Middle English word beggare, beggere. See beg ¹, -er ¹, -ar ³

Explanation

A beggar is a poor person who asks others, or begs, for money or food. Another word for a beggar is a "panhandler," although both terms are vaguely offensive. No one wants to be a beggar. Many people who are beggars are also homeless and haven't been able to find jobs. Sometimes people use the word in an informal, pitying way: "Poor little beggar, he works so hard!" Another informal term is "to beggar belief," as when something is so incredible that you find it hard to believe. Another expression is “beggars can’t be choosers” which means you get what you get and you don’t get upset.

Example Sentences

"It's just garbage... the clothes you can't even wear, you wouldn't even give to a beggar," Akoth said.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

“In any other country, if you see a beggar, it’s clear he’s a beggar,” said Habib Kareem, 26, a lawyer in Islamabad, the capital.

From New York Times • May 19, 2024

But over the following years, purported sightings of Majorana multiplied: as a beggar in Naples, a monk in Calabria, and a vagabond in South America.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 20, 2023

Francis has long said that true service and charity has to hurt, and that it’s not enough just to give a beggar a coin on the street.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2023

Your fault I had to take a second job picking up those lawyers’ trash like some beggar.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na

Related Words

• bum
• panhandler
• vagabond