# beggar

/ˈbɛɡɝ/ (US) · /bˈɛɡɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/beggar
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a person who lives by asking people for money or food in the street. You usually see them in public places like train stations or city centers.

For teachers: a person who lives by asking for money or food as charity, typically in public spaces. Often used metaphorically to describe someone who is extremely poor or lacks resources.

## Examples

- The beggar sat on the corner with a small cup.
- In many large cities, you will find beggars near the entrances of busy subway stations during the morning rush.
- The novelist depicts a city of sharp contrasts, where wealthy merchants walk past desperate beggars without a second glance, highlighting the social inequality of the era.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the phrase 'beggars can't be choosers' to mean that people in need must accept what is offered.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.