penniless

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'penniless' is considered correct and is commonly used in written English.
It means having no money or resources; completely destitute. Example: After losing his job, John found himself penniless and unable to pay his bills.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bassist Mani joined Primal Scream, and Brown - penniless, he says - went to live in a council flat in Warrington.

The Guardian - Music

Nadir has told the court he is penniless and that the luxury lifestyle he had enjoyed up to his conviction had been at the generosity of friends.

The Guardian - Business

On Friday we discovered that Lambert co-wrote the leaflet for which two penniless activists spent three years in the high court defending a libel action brought by McDonald's.

The Guardian - Opinion

The inquiry was set up partly in response to a petition signed by over 200,000 people shocked by the death of diabetic former soldier David Clapson, who died penniless in July 2014, 18 days after sanctions were imposed on him.

The Guardian

The maximum sentence in Brazil was supposed to be 30 years, he used to say, and died penniless in 2000, still saying it.

The Guardian - Sport

I would be terrified of forcing him, penniless on to the streets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sievey died practically penniless.

The Guardian - Film

After the success of her first novel, "The Grass is Singing" (1950), packed in manuscript in her suitcase when she arrived, almost penniless, in Britain from Southern Rhodesia, she could have kept on writing about Africa.

The Economist

He wed her hurriedly; they escaped, and lived to celebrate 68 years of marriage.In post-war Poland he scraped a living as a journalist and critic, escaping to West Germany in 1958 penniless and with scant formal education.

The Economist

A penniless Cuban immigrant, he asked a friend to write them out phonetically on a piece of paper so he could memorise them.

The Economist

Gary Jacobson of the University of California in San Diego says the wielders of campaign funds have become expert at spotting competitive candidates and giving them the money they need to make a fight of it.Besides, the Democrats are hardly penniless.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "penniless", consider the context and choose synonyms that convey the specific nuance you intend, such as long-term poverty or a temporary lack of funds.

Common error

Avoid using "penniless" when you mean "penurious" (stingy) or "penalize" (to impose a penalty). "Penniless" specifically refers to a lack of money, while the others have different meanings.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "penniless" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating a state of having no money. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe individuals or entities lacking financial resources. Examples show its use in journalistic and narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "penniless" is an adjective that describes a state of having no money. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media. Its function is to convey a sense of financial destitution and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While "penniless" is common, it's important to consider context and choose appropriate synonyms to convey specific nuances. Remember to avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words. This comprehensive analysis offers a clear understanding of how to effectively use "penniless" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impoverished

Emphasizes the long-term state of poverty.

destitute

Highlights a severe lack of resources, often implying homelessness.

completely broke

Emphasizes the completeness of the lack of funds.

broke

A more informal way of saying "penniless", suggesting a temporary lack of funds.

indigent

Refers to lacking the necessities of life, often used in legal or formal contexts.

without a penny to one's name

A more descriptive and emphatic way of saying "penniless".

strapped for cash

Indicates a temporary shortage of money.

hard up

A colloquial expression for being short on money.

in dire straits

Highlights a state of extreme hardship due to lack of money.

on one's last legs

Suggests being close to financial ruin.

FAQs

How can I use "penniless" in a sentence?

"Penniless" describes someone who has no money. For instance, "After losing his job, he found himself "penniless" and struggling to make ends meet."

What is a more formal alternative to "penniless"?

More formal alternatives include "impoverished", "destitute", or "indigent". These terms are often used in legal or official contexts.

Is it correct to say "nearly penniless"?

Yes, "nearly penniless" is perfectly acceptable. It means almost without money, suggesting a state close to having no funds at all.

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

"Poor" is a general term for lacking sufficient money or resources. "Penniless" implies a more extreme state of poverty, suggesting having virtually no money at all. Being "poor" doesn't necessarily mean being "penniless".