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.

He smuggled himself into Hong Kong as a penniless 12-year-old escaping famine in communist China.

From The Wall Street Journal

From her windows overlooking the Barteljorisstraat, Tante Jans watched them idling by, gazing aimlessly into the shop windows, most of them young, penniless, and lonesome.

From Literature

He was a humble guy who some said died penniless.

From Los Angeles Times

Wright also exerted financial control, leaving her "penniless".

From BBC

They were penniless, so deep in debt that they were all but buried alive by it, only for the butcher to offer a hand, and a house, and food enough for them all.

From Literature

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