# penniless

/ˈpɛniɫəs/ (US) · /pˈɛnɪləs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/penniless
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

having no money at all. You use this to describe someone who is very poor or has spent all their cash.

For teachers: 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.

---

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.