underclass

noun
UK: /ˈʌndəklɑːs/
US: /ˈʌndərklæs/

  1. A group of people with very low income and little chance of improving their situation.

    1. The underclass needs more job opportunities to escape poverty.
    2. Government policies aim to uplift the underclass through education and job training programs.

  2. The lowest social stratum in a country or community, consisting of the poor and unemployed.

    1. Many social problems are prevalent within the underclass.
    2. The cycle of poverty traps many families in the underclass for generations, with little chance for upward mobility.

Synonyms

disadvantaged poverty-stricken

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "underclass" in English means: A group of people with very low income and little chance of improving their situation., The lowest social stratum in a country or community, consisting of the poor and unemployed..

The phonetic transcription of "underclass" is /ˈʌndəklɑːs/ in British English and /ˈʌndərklæs/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "underclass": disadvantaged, poverty-stricken.

Example usage of "underclass": "The underclass needs more job opportunities to escape poverty.". More examples on the page.