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penniless

[ pen-i-lis ]

/ ˈpɛn ɪ lɪs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR penniless ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

without any money whatsoever; totally impoverished; destitute.

Origin of penniless

First recorded in 1275–1325, penniless is from the Middle English word peniles. See penny, -less

SYNONYMS FOR penniless

indigent. See poor.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR penniless ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR penniless

rich.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR penniless ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM penniless

pen·ni·less·ly, adverb pen·ni·less·ness, noun

Words nearby penniless

penney, penni, pennie, pennies from heaven, penniform, penniless, pennillion, pennine alps, pennine chain, pennine way, pennines

Example sentences from the Web for penniless

He was born in a barn to penniless parents who were part of a people under occupation.

Jesus Wasn’t Born Rich. Think About It. |Gene Robinson |December 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The rocker posted a rambling video on his Facebook page claiming he's broke and penniless.

Creed Singer Scott Stapp’s Fall From Grace: From 40 Million Albums Sold to Living in a Holiday Inn |Marlow Stern |November 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The penniless Pieret announced his intentions of stealing more art from the woefully guarded Louvre to make more money.

Did Picasso Try to Steal the Mona Lisa? |Nick Mafi |October 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He told stories about his days as a penniless college student trying to make it in Greenwich Village.

Why Comedians Still Think Bill Cosby Is a Genius |Mark Whitaker |October 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Unlike my enthusiastic but penniless grandfather, I had laws and resources on my side.

Whither the Women’s Movement? |Judith Barnett |July 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
She found three penny stamps in the bureau at which she wrote and this served to remind her of her penniless condition.

The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman |H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
What were a wife's powers if she was homeless and penniless, and a husband claimed her?

Tante |Anne Douglas Sedgwick
But while it lasted, the idea had been a thrilling one for a penniless, homeless wanderer.

Garrison's Finish |W. B. M. Ferguson
To you it's probably better to be a rich slaver living off the legacy of a Degrader than a penniless humanitarian.

The Lani People |J. F. Bone
The somewhat frivolous and selfish character of the penniless young Countess Dolores is also drawn with a masterly hand.

Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature, Vol. II (of 6): The Romantic School in Germany |Georg Brandes

British Dictionary definitions for penniless

penniless

/ (ˈpɛnɪlɪs) /

adjective

very poor; almost totally without money

Derived forms of penniless

pennilessly, adverb pennilessness, noun