indigent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indigent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is impoverished or lacking the basic necessities of life, often in legal or social contexts. Example: "The organization provides assistance to indigent families in need of food and shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jacqueline Pata, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, said the tribes have tried to assuage Congressional misgivings, expanding financing and capacity, bolstering indigent legal representation, and changing rules to ensure that non-Indian defendants would face a jury of their peers, Indian and non-Indian alike.

The New York Times

Indigent places are often racked by chaos; but somewhat better-off ones are not necessarily more stable.

The Economist

The signal has gone out, to the skilled as well as to the indigent, that Britain does not want them.

The Economist

In an ongoing investigation into rhino-horn trafficking, the FWS arrested Irish travellers using indigent Texans to procure material for Chinese and Vietnamese buyers.

The Economist

Everything from food inspections to foreign aid to environmental regulation to legal defence for the indigent to scientific research to the national parks to education to road, rail and air infrastructure to...pretty much everything.

The Economist

Human Rights Watch, a pressure group, reports that homosexuals are often entrapped, subjected to humiliating "forensic" examinations and given long jail terms for "debauchery".Other groups singled out include indigent street children and Shias, a small minority in Egypt.

The Economist

Studies have shown that not all these people are indigent: a quarter or more can afford insurance, but choose not to buy it.They know they are unlikely to be left to die in the streets.

The Economist

If these trends continue, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that Medicare and Medicaid (the government's health schemes for the elderly and the indigent) will soar to 20% of GDP by 2050 more than the entire federal budget.The second big headache is coverage.

The Economist

On welfare reform, the administration cannot control the rate at which the indigent find work, so it challenges business executives to hire welfare mothers.

The Economist

For years reformers have advocated freer trade on the grounds that market distortions, particularly the rich world's subsidies, depress prices and hurt rural areas in poor countries, where three-quarters of the world's indigent live.

The Economist

Education funding is doled out centrally, and children in the most indigent parts tend to get the most cash.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indigent" in legal or formal contexts, ensure it accurately reflects the individual's inability to afford necessary services, such as legal representation or medical care.

Common error

Avoid using "indigent" interchangeably with terms like "poor" or "needy" without considering the specific legal or formal context. "Indigent" often implies a specific lack of resources that qualifies someone for assistance, whereas "poor" is a more general descriptor of economic status.

Linguistic Context

The word "indigent" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe individuals or populations experiencing severe poverty and lacking basic necessities. It is often used in legal, medical, and social welfare contexts. Ludwig AI validates this usage, providing numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

32%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "indigent" is a formal adjective used to describe individuals experiencing extreme poverty and lacking the basic necessities of life. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and most frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedias. It's important to use "indigent" accurately, especially in legal and social contexts, and to be mindful of its formal register. Related terms like "impoverished" or "destitute" can be used as alternatives, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impoverished

Emphasizes a state of being made poor, often suggesting a loss of wealth or status.

poverty-stricken

Highlights the severe and debilitating effects of poverty.

destitute

Implies a complete lack of resources and a state of utter deprivation.

needy

Focuses on the requirement for assistance due to a lack of essential resources.

penniless

Directly refers to having no money at all.

poor

A general term for lacking sufficient money to live comfortably.

insolvent

Refers to an inability to pay debts, often in a business context.

impecunious

A more formal and less common term for having little or no money.

in want

Emphasizes the lack of basic necessities and comforts.

down and out

Describes a state of extreme misfortune and poverty, often implying homelessness.

FAQs

How is "indigent" typically used in a sentence?

The term "indigent" is typically used to describe someone who is extremely poor, often to the point where they lack the basic necessities of life. It's often used in legal contexts, such as "indigent defendant".

What are some alternatives to the word "indigent"?

Some alternatives to "indigent" include "impoverished", "destitute", and "needy". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an indigent person" or "a indigent person"?

The correct usage is "an indigent person" because "indigent" begins with a vowel sound. The article "an" is used before words that start with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "indigent" and "poor"?

"Poor" is a general term for lacking sufficient money or resources. "Indigent" implies a more severe level of poverty, often to the point of lacking the basic necessities of life, and is frequently used in legal or formal contexts. The term "indigent" often implies a need for assistance.