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Definition of poorhouse

poorhouse

/ˈpʊəhaʊs/
poor · house
Plural:poorhouses
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poorhouse Lexical Profile

poorhouse Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A state of extreme poverty, financial ruin, or bankruptcy (usually used in phrases such as 'in the poorhouse' or 'drive to the poorhouse').

Example

"These unexpected medical bills and legal fees are going to put us in the poorhouse if we are not careful."

2

Historically, a government-run or publicly supported residential institution where impoverished or destitute people were lodged and often required to work.

Example

"During the nineteenth century, families who could no longer pay their rent feared being sent to the local poorhouse."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for poorhouse

Word Nuance & Usage

While originally referring to a literal 19th-century institution, the word is now most frequently used figuratively in the phrase 'in the poorhouse' or 'send to the poorhouse' to mean a state of financial ruin or bankruptcy.

• Nearby Words

poopy
poor
poorbox
poorhouse
poorly
poorness
poorwill

Cite this Entry

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