destitute

adjective
UK: /ˈdestɪtjuːt/
US: /ˈdestɪtuːt/

  1. Extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself.

    1. After the fire, they were left destitute.
    2. The charity helps those who are completely destitute and have nowhere else to turn.

  2. Lacking something needed or desired.

    1. The play was destitute of any real emotion.
    2. His argument was destitute of any factual basis, relying solely on speculation.

Synonyms

poor impoverished penniless bereft needy
destitute transitive-verb

  1. To leave someone utterly impoverished.

    1. The swindler's actions could destitute the family.
    2. The economic crisis threatened to destitute many hard-working families in the region.
destitute plural-noun

  1. People who are extremely poor and lacking resources.

    1. The charity provides food for the destitute.
    2. Shelters offer a safe place for the destitute during the cold winter months.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "destitute" in English means: Extremely poor and lacking the means to provide for oneself., Lacking something needed or desired..

The phonetic transcription of "destitute" is /ˈdestɪtjuːt/ in British English and /ˈdestɪtuːt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "destitute": poor, impoverished, penniless, bereft, needy.

Example usage of "destitute": "After the fire, they were left destitute.". More examples on the page.