destitute in English
- destitute⇄adj. 1. lacking necessary things, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
Ex. A destitute family needs help from charity.
2. (Obsolete.) abandoned; forsaken; deserted. - destitute⇄destitute, adjective, noun.
- destitute⇄expr. destitute of, having no; empty of; without.
Ex. A bald head is destitute of hair. - destitute⇄noun destituteness.
- destitute⇄noun Usually, the destitute, a destitute person or persons.
Ex. The destitute filled the streets after the earthquake.
destitute in Sindhi سنڌي
destitute in Telugu తెలుగు
Destitute
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛstɪtjuːt/ (British English), /ˈdɛstɪtuːt/ (American English)
Definitions
- Without the basic necessities of life.
- Lacking something needed or desirable.
- Completely without money or resources.
Usage Examples
- Many families were left destitute by the war.
- He was destitute of hope after the disaster.
- The charity provides aid to destitute children.
Etymology
From Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere meaning "to abandon, forsake," from de- + statuere meaning "to set, place."
Synonyms
- Impoverished
- Penniless
- Needy
- Deprived
- Indigent
Antonyms
- Wealthy
- Affluent
- Prosperous
- Privileged
Translations
Major Global Languages
| Language | Translations | Pronunciations |
|---|---|---|
| French | Démuni | /de.my.ni/ |
| Spanish | Indigente | /indiˈxente/ |
| German | Mittellos | /ˈmɪtl̩loːs/ |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 贫困的 | /pínkùnde/ |
| Russian | Нищий | /ˈnʲiɕːɪj/ |
Indian Languages
| Language | Translations | Pronunciations |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | निर्धन | /nirdhan/ |
| Telugu | పేద | /pēda/ |
| Tamil | ஏழை | /ēḻai/ |
| Kannada | ಬಡ | /baḍa/ |
| Bengali | দরিদ্র | /dôriddro/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /ˈdɛstɪtjuːt/
- American English: /ˈdɛstɪtuːt/
- Australian English: /ˈdɛstɪtjuːt/
- Indian English: /ˈdɛstɪtjuːt/
Historical Usage
The term "destitute" first appeared in English in the late 15th century, originally referring to abandonment or lacking protection. Its modern usage to denote extreme poverty became more common in the 17th century.
Cultural Nuances
In literature, "destitute" often conveys both material and emotional deprivation. In social discourse, it highlights issues of poverty and inequality. Humanitarian organizations frequently use the term to describe vulnerable populations needing urgent assistance.
More Information
The word "destitute" has strong associations with poverty and social injustice. It appears in religious texts, novels, and political speeches as a powerful descriptor of human suffering. Many societies have developed welfare systems and charitable organizations to alleviate the conditions of the destitute. Modern debates on poverty often address the systemic causes of destitution, such as unemployment, discrimination, and lack of access to education.