destitute

adjective des·ti·tute \ˈdes-tə-ˌtüt, -ˌt(y)üt\

: extremely poor

: without something that is needed or wanted

Full Definition of DESTITUTE

: lacking something needed or desirable <a lake destitute of fish>

: lacking possessions and resources; especially : suffering extreme poverty <a destitute old man>

— des·ti·tute·ness noun

See destitute defined for English-language learners

See destitute defined for kids

Middle English, from Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere to abandon, deprive, from de- + statuere to set up — more at statute

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonyms: beggared, beggarly, broke, poor, dirt-poor, down-and-out, famished, hard up, impecunious, impoverished, indigent, necessitous, needful, needy, pauperized, penniless, penurious, poverty-stricken, skint [chiefly British], threadbare

Antonyms: affluent, deep-pocketed, fat, fat-cat, flush, moneyed (also monied), opulent, rich, silk-stocking, wealthy, well-heeled, well-off, well-to-do

DESTITUTE Defined for Kids

adjective des·ti·tute \ˈde-stə-ˌtüt, -ˌtyüt\

: lacking something needed or desirable <The room was destitute of comforts.>

: very poor <The charity helps destitute people.>

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