Indigence
/ˈɪndɪdʒəns/
nounC2
Definition
Indigence is the state of being very poor and lacking the basic needs for life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. It is more serious than just being low on money; it means having almost nothing to survive comfortably.
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See It in Action
Extreme poverty; lacking basic life needs
- •Many charities work to help people living in indigence.
- •The government created programs to reduce indigence in rural areas.
- •Indigence can cause serious health problems if people do not get enough food or shelter.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "indigence" like "poverty" (A2 word), but much stronger and more serious—almost no money or help at all.
- ✓Picture a person without a home, no food, and wearing old torn clothes standing outside in cold weather.
- ✓It’s the feeling of deep worry when you do not have enough to eat or a safe place to sleep.
- ✓Sounds like "in-DIJ-ence" → imagine someone saying "in ditch" to remember someone so poor they could be living in a ditch.
- ✓In stories or news, indigence is shown when people need help because they have lost everything.
- ✓NOT like "poor" (which can mean having little money but still some comfort), indigence means almost no resources or support.
- ✓NOT like "need" (which can be small or temporary), indigence is a long-term, very serious lack.
- ✓NOT like "homeless" (which is about no home), indigence is about lacking many things, including money and food.
Try Other Words
- •Poverty: lack of money and basic needs (Use in general situations about being poor)
- •Destitution: extreme lack of money and resources (Use when you want to stress complete helplessness)
- •Neediness: being in need or lacking (Use for less serious or temporary lack)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "indig-" (from Latin root related to "need") + "-ence" (a noun ending meaning a state or condition)
- •Etymology: From Latin "indigentia" meaning lack or neediness
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 15th century to describe serious poverty or lack
- •Modern usage: Mainly found in formal or literary English to describe extreme poverty or hardship
Reflect & Connect
•How does knowing the word "indigence" help us understand the difference between being poor and being in serious need?
•What can society do to help people living in indigence, and how is this different from helping those who are just "poor"?
Fill in the blanks
1.People living in indigence often lack ___ like food, shelter, and clean water.
2.Indigence is more serious than poverty because it means almost no ___ or support.
3.Governments try to reduce indigence by creating programs that ___ basic needs.
4.Unlike poverty, indigence usually lasts for a ___ time and is very hard to escape.
5.When someone is in indigence, they may feel ___ because they cannot meet their basic needs.
6.Indigence is not just about money; it also means a lack of ___ like safety and health care.
7.Charities often work in areas where indigence is ___ to help people survive.