Poverty
/ˈpɒvəti/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe state of having little or no money, goods, or means of support.
/ˈpɒvəti/
The state of being extremely poor
Millions of people around the world live in poverty.
💡 Simply: Poverty means not having enough money or things to live comfortably. Like, if you don't have enough food or a warm place to sleep, that's poverty. Imagine having a toy and not being able to buy another, that’s a small example!
👶 For kids: When you don't have enough money to buy things you need, like food and toys, that's poverty.
More Examples
The devastating effects of poverty can be seen in many communities.
She grew up in poverty and struggled to get by.
How It's Used
"Poverty is a complex issue with multiple causes."
"The government implemented policies to alleviate poverty."
"Many human rights organizations are working to fight poverty."
The scarcity or lack of something; deficiency.
/ˈpɒvəti/
A lack of something; scarcity
The film suffered from a poverty of plot.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, poverty isn’t just about money. It can also mean not having enough of something important, like good ideas or knowledge. It's like when you have a lot of crayons, but you don't have a good marker.
👶 For kids: Sometimes, poverty is not having enough of something else like ideas or toys.
More Examples
There was a poverty of resources available to the project.
His writing was characterized by a poverty of style.
How It's Used
"The poverty of his imagination was evident in his dull writing."
"He suffered from a poverty of ideas."
Idioms & expressions
poverty line
The estimated minimum level of income needed to secure the necessities of life.
"Families below the poverty line are eligible for government assistance."
cycle of poverty
The perpetuation of poverty, often from one generation to the next.
"Breaking the cycle of poverty requires comprehensive interventions."
From Old French *poverte*, from Latin *paupertas*, from *pauper* meaning 'poor'. The word has been used since the 13th century and has consistently referred to the state of being poor.
The word poverty has been in use since the 13th century to describe the state of being poor. Early uses often reflected religious and moral perspectives on wealth and destitution.
Memory tip
Think of a poor person - they're in poverty.