beggar

[beg-er]

noun

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

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.

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

/ 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!

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of beggar¹

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

Example Sentences

Authorities cleared out unsightly obstructions along the main racing routes: roadside shacks, beggars and drunks, residents said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The minister had said there was no such thing as "beggars" in Cuba and people going through rubbish were, in essence, doing so out of choice to make "easy money", as she put it.

Read more on BBC

But still: For the president of the United States to accuse the government of South Africa, in 2025, of conducting a racial genocide is so craven, so shameless, that beggars any rational description.

Read more on Salon

It beggars the imagination to see the law used as the administration seeks to use it.

Read more on Salon

He is best known for a simple but profound act of compassion — sharing his cloak with a freezing beggar on a winter’s night.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bum 
• panhandler 
• vagabond