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Definition of penniless

penniless

/ˈpɛn.i.ləs/
pen · ni · less
Adverb:pennilessly
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penniless Lexical Profile

penniless Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having no money; very poor.

Example

"After losing his business in the financial crash, the once-prosperous merchant was left completely penniless."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

pennant
pennar
penne
penniless
pennilessness
pennines
pennisetum

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'peniles', formed from 'peni' (penny, from Old English 'pening') and the privative suffix '-les' (-less, meaning 'without').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Penniless. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/penniless
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