penniless

[ pen-i-lis ]

adjective

1. without any money whatsoever; totally impoverished; destitute.

   Synonyms: indigent

   Antonyms: rich

penniless

/ ˈpɛnɪlɪs /

adjective

1. very poor; almost totally without money

Derived Forms

• ˈpennilessness, noun
• ˈpennilessly, adverb

Other Words From

• penni·less·ly adverb
• penni·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of penniless¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, penniless is from the Middle English word peniles. See penny, -less

Synonym Study

See poor.

Example Sentences

Instead, they had ended up penniless and too afraid to tell their families back home.

From BBC

A member of the family that owns the Hyatt hotel chain, Pritzker noted that his family emigrated penniless while fleeing the Soviets in Ukraine.

From Los Angeles Times

Like a wounded boy desperate for an embrace but who refuses to verbalize his need, he wanders penniless through town, a handsome flesh-and-blood specter in a dirty white suit.

From Los Angeles Times

Christopher's diaries date from 1953 to 1963, when he was divorced, penniless and living on trout and potatoes in a remote cottage in the wilds of north Wales, suffering writers' block.

From BBC

“I just want to be put back in a position where I’m not penniless and that I can just retire with a little bit of dignity, that’s all.”

From BBC

Related Words

• bankrupt
• broke
• destitute
• impoverished
• indigent
• needy