Penury
/ˈpɛn.jʊr.i/
nounC2
Definition
Penury is a word used to describe a situation where someone has almost no money or resources. It means living with very little, often without enough food, shelter, or clothes. It is a stronger and more serious word than just "poor."
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See It in Action
Extreme lack of money and basic life needs
- •After losing his job, he lived in penury for several years.
- •The family was in penury and could barely afford food.
- •Many people in history have suffered penury during wars and disasters.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "penury" like "poverty" (a more common word), but much worse—like having almost nothing at all.
- ✓Picture a person with empty pockets, a small room with no furniture, and very little food on the table.
- ✓It’s the feeling of deep worry and sadness when you cannot buy even the most basic things you need.
- ✓Sounds like "PEN-you-ree" → imagine someone writing (pen) a list of things they cannot afford because they have no money.
- ✓In stories, penury often describes characters who struggle hard to survive, like poor villagers or homeless people.
- ✓NOT like "poor" (which can mean just not rich), penury means almost total lack of money and resources.
- ✓NOT like "need" (which is about wanting something), penury is about having almost nothing at all.
- ✓NOT like "poverty" (common word), penury is more formal and stronger, often used in serious writing or speeches.
Try Other Words
- •Poverty: lack of money and basic needs (Use in everyday conversation and writing)
- •Destitution: total lack of money and resources (Use when emphasizing the absolute worst condition)
- •Impoverishment: process of becoming poor (Use when talking about how someone becomes poor over time)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; the word comes as a whole noun
- •Etymology: From Latin "penuria" meaning scarcity or lack
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1400s to describe extreme poverty
- •Modern usage: Mostly found in formal writing, literature, or speeches about serious poverty or hardship
Reflect & Connect
•How does penury affect a person’s daily life and choices compared to just being poor?
•Why do you think writers use the word penury instead of simpler words like poverty?
Fill in the blanks
1.People in penury often cannot afford ___ like food, clothes, or shelter.
2.Penury is more serious than poverty because it means almost ___ of all resources.
3.After the disaster, many families were left in penury and had to ___ for help.
4.The word penury is usually used in ___ or formal situations, not casual talks.
5.Someone living in penury might feel ___ and worried about the future.
6.Penury shows a ___ lack of money, not just a little less than others.
7.When a country faces penury, it means many people have ___ basic needs.