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Synonyms

beggarly

American  
[beg-er-lee] / ˈbɛg ər li /

adjective

  1. like or befitting a beggar.

  2. meanly inadequate.

    How does he manage on such a beggarly salary?


beggarly British  
/ ˈbɛɡəlɪ /

adjective

  1. meanly inadequate; very poor

    beggarly living conditions

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of beggarly

First recorded in 1520–30; beggar + -ly

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.

Unsure whether he had been duped, he sent Francis a beggarly email: “I was wondering if you have reached a decision on my Shedd Bailout/Rescue Loan proposal.”

From Washington Post • Jan. 23, 2018

Among his several schemes to gain influence over the boy king, Seymour began supplying him with pocket money, telling him "you are a beggarly king, you have no money to play or to give".

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2012

He pursues the beggarly Poor Tom with a rabid curiosity eagerly inquiring "What hast thou been?" yet, imagining Goneril on trial, he spits at her shadow with undisguised hatred.

From The Guardian • Dec. 8, 2010

It would be beggarly to call what Scofield does a performance; it is an incarnation.

From Time Magazine Archive

There was a beggarly American who lodged a claim to the title and—to the title; his name was Carthew, I think—yes, Justin Carthew.

From The White Blackbird by Douglas, Hudson

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