penniless
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
See poor.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of penniless
First recorded in 1275–1325, penniless is from the Middle English word peniles. See penny, -less
Explanation
Someone who's penniless is very poor — they barely have enough money to pay for basics like food and shelter. If you're penniless, it can be tempting to buy a lottery ticket — but your odds of winning are terrible. People who live without enough — either because they've lost a job, had other bad luck, or are experiencing a temporarily poor stage in their lives — can call themselves penniless. Some college students feel penniless, having only enough cash to buy used books for class and eating every meal in the dining hall. This early fourteenth century word comes from the sense of "without even a penny."
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.
In the fall of 1781, George Washington’s troops were hungry, penniless and demoralized.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Dodsworth, best known for presenting the weather on ITV Wales, said she later discovered she had been left "absolutely penniless" and with debts in her name that she "knew nothing about".
From BBC ● May 19, 2026
He was a humble guy who some said died penniless.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2026
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 ● Nov. 30, 2025
He died soon after making this bequest of his life’s work to the stunned younger man, who only weeks before had been a penniless refugee.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
