Synonyms

penniless

American

[pen-i-lis] / ˈpɛn ɪ lɪs /

adjective

without any money whatsoever; totally impoverished; destitute.

Synonyms:

indigent

Antonyms:

rich

penniless British

/ ˈpɛnɪlɪs /

adjective

very poor; almost totally without money

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See poor.

Other Word Forms

pennilessly adverb
pennilessness noun

Etymology

Origin of penniless

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ms. Ypi tells us that the two had been close enough for her grandfather to once offer to settle the penniless Hoxha’s debts with his Parisian landlady.

From The Wall Street Journal

So, if you happen to be one of the winners of tonight’s now $980 million Mega Millions jackpot, then how can you ensure you don’t end up penniless?

From MarketWatch

So, if you happen to be one of the winners of the $965 million Mega Millions jackpot, how can you ensure you don’t end up penniless?

From MarketWatch

“Flummoxed by the lack of resources”—in other words, aware that a penniless Uganda needed to reform or collapse—he “comfortably settled” into the role of Western lackey.

From The Wall Street Journal

At 17, he ended up penniless in Miami, living with his father in a rat-infested warehouse and cleaning canary cages for cash.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023