penury
/ˈpenjəri/
CEFR level C2Topic EconomyWord #7054 in the learning path
赤贫；一贫如洗
Definitions
n. extreme poverty, with too little money for basic needs
赤贫；一贫如洗
Example
After years of penury, she could finally afford heating.
经历多年赤贫之后，她终于付得起取暖费了。
Without adequate social protection, prolonged unemployment can push vulnerable households into penury and damage their health.
如果没有充分的社会保障，长期失业可能使弱势家庭陷入赤贫，并损害他们的健康。
Collocations
- live in penury
- die in penury
- reduce someone to penury
Word family
- penurious (adj.)
Synonyms
- destitution
- poverty
Antonyms
- affluence
- wealth
Usage tip
正式或文学用词，程度重于poverty，通常不可数。
FAQ
- What does penury mean?
- extreme poverty, with too little money for basic needs
- How is penury pronounced?
- UK /ˈpenjəri/, US /ˈpenjəri/. Use the audio buttons above to listen.
