Word
penniless
Phoneticspen·ni·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɛniɫəs/
UK/pˈɛnɪləs/
Definition
adj. having no money at all. You use this to describe someone who is very poor or has spent all their cash.
adj. having no money or being in a state of extreme poverty. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'remain'.
Examples
“He arrived at the city penniless and alone.”
“After the sudden collapse of the company, the employees found themselves penniless and struggling to pay their rent.”
“The protagonist begins the novel penniless, forced to navigate the harsh realities of urban life while searching for a way to regain his former status.”
Examples
simple
“He arrived at the city penniless and alone.”
contextual
“After the sudden collapse of the company, the employees found themselves penniless and struggling to pay their rent.”
complex
“The protagonist begins the novel penniless, forced to navigate the harsh realities of urban life while searching for a way to regain his former status.”
Real-World Examples
“They arrived penniless and lacking even the most basic supplies.” “Domino’s Pizza has long been popular for budget-conscious families and penniless teenagers, with value deals aplenty.” Etymology
From Middle English penyles, penylees; equivalent to penny + -less. Compare Old Norse penningalauss (“penniless”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/penniless