Destitute
/ˈdɛstɪtjuːt/
Definitions
Without the basic necessities of life; lacking resources, especially food, shelter, and clothing.
/ˈdɛstɪtjuːt/
Lacking the necessities of life
The earthquake left thousands of people destitute.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who has absolutely nothing – no food, no home, no money. That person is destitute. It's like being totally broke and in trouble.
👶 For kids: When someone has no home, food, or money, they are destitute.
More Examples
He was found destitute and begging on the streets.
Many elderly people are destitute due to the rising cost of living.
After losing his job, he became destitute.
How It's Used
"The charity provided aid to destitute families affected by the famine."
"The protagonist, left destitute after the war, struggled to survive."
"The court addressed the rights of destitute individuals to receive legal assistance."
Idioms & expressions
Destitute of
Lacking something important or valuable.
"The painting was destitute of any artistic merit."
From Latin *destituere* ('to abandon, forsake'), from *de-* ('away') + *statuere* ('to set, establish'). The word developed to imply being without basic necessities.
The term 'destitute' has been used for centuries, appearing in legal and social contexts to describe the impoverished.
Memory tip
Think of 'des' (missing) 'tit' (tithes - money) or 'de' (without) 'stitut' (status or wealth)
Practice
Word Origin
Root: *de- + statuere