penniless

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective not having enough money to pay for necessities

Etymology

From Middle English penyles, penylees; equivalent to penny + -less. Compare Old Norse penningalauss (“penniless”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

hard up, impecunious, in straitened circumstances, penurious, pinched

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