First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
impoverish
verb im·pov·er·ish \im-ˈpäv-rish, -ˈpä-və-\
: to make (someone) poor
: to use up the strength or richness of (something, such as land)
Full Definition of IMPOVERISH
transitive verb
1
: to make poor
2
: to deprive of strength, richness, or fertility by depleting or draining of something essential
— im·pov·er·ish·er noun
— im·pov·er·ish·ment \-mənt\ noun
See impoverish defined for English-language learners
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Origin of IMPOVERISH
Middle English enpoverisshen, from Anglo-French empoveriss-, stem of empoverir, from en- + povre poor — more at poor
Synonym Discussion of IMPOVERISH
deplete, drain, exhaust, impoverish, bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency. deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function <depleting our natural resources>. drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence <personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit>. exhaust stresses a complete emptying <her lecture exhausted the subject>. impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness <impoverished soil>. bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse <war had bankrupted the nation of resources>.
IMPOVERISH Defined for Kids
impoverish
verb im·pov·er·ish \im-ˈpä-və-rish\
im·pov·er·ishedim·pov·er·ish·ing
Definition of IMPOVERISH for Kids
1
: to make poor <The greedy tyrant impoverished his people.>
2
: to use up the strength or richness of <impoverished soil>
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