# impecunious

/ˌɪmpəˈkjuniəs/ (US) · /ˌɪmpɪkjˈuːnɪəs/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impecunious
Updated: 2026-09-29

## Definition

having very little or no money. It is a more formal way to say someone is poor, often used to describe someone who stays poor for a long time.

For teachers: having little or no money; habitually penniless. Often used in a literary or formal context to describe a chronic state of poverty rather than a temporary lack of funds.

## Examples

- The impecunious student lived on bread and water.
- Despite his noble family name, he remained impecunious throughout his life due to his father's gambling debts.
- The novel follows the struggles of an impecunious artist in 19th-century Paris, whose creative genius is constantly stifled by the mundane necessity of finding his next meal.

## Synonyms

penniless, penurious, pinched

## Antonyms

wealthy, rich, affluent

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a formal or literary synonym for 'poor'. Often appears in predicative position after linking verbs like 'remain' or 'become'.

---

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.