WordGarden.iobeggarly
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
Meanings
Adjective
pitifully small, scanty, or inadequate
extremely poor or marked by poverty
Beyond the definition
The word "beggarly" doesn't just mean poor; it suggests a harsh, shameful form of poverty. Think of someone reduced to begging—that instinctive image sits behind it. It implies not only a lack of possessions but also a loss of dignity and security. You wouldn't use it for a simple, frugal life; you'd use it for extreme hardship and desperation. In older literature, it often appears when writers want to spotlight characters in abject, humiliating conditions.
Consider the phrase "a beggarly sum." It doesn't just mean a small amount of money; it suggests an insultingly tiny amount—almost not worth mentioning. Similarly, if you describe someone's clothing as "beggarly," you aren't simply saying they are wearing old clothes, but that their attire is so tattered and neglected it signals severe deprivation.
"Beggarly" describes a state of abject poverty, often carrying heavy connotations of shame, degradation, and desperation. It is more than just being without money; it suggests a loss of social standing and a reliance on the charity of others. While "poor" is a relatively neutral descriptor, "beggarly" carries a strong negative judgment, sometimes bordering on contempt.
The word is tied to the noun "beggar" and to lives sustained by begging or alms. Historically, it described people forced to depend on charity because of misfortune, social exclusion, or instability. Early writers used "beggarly" to mark characters in humiliating circumstances, where poverty carries an emotional weight of humiliation and social stigma. For example, a phrase like "beggarly spirit" can suggest a person whose outlook has been narrowed by deprivation and humiliation.
Today, the word is less common in everyday speech and often feels archaic or literary. It is most likely to appear in historical fiction, poetry, or formal writing where a writer wants to emphasize the wretchedness or inadequacy of a situation. You might encounter it when describing the conditions of life during times of famine or extreme social unrest.
It is important to note that using "beggarly" can be considered insensitive due to its judgmental tone. While it accurately conveys severe poverty, modern usage often prefers more empathetic terms like "impoverished" or "destitute" to avoid the historical stigma associated with the word's roots. Ultimately, while "poor" describes a simple lack of wealth, "beggarly" paints a vivid picture of utter destitution and the loss of human dignity.
Examples
- 1
Low pay
They were expected to work twelve-hour shifts for a beggarly wage.
- Usagebeggarly wage
a shockingly low wage; usually formal or literary
- 2
Sale price
He sold the painting for a beggarly sum and regretted it later.
- 3
Poverty description
In the memoir, the children grow up in a beggarly house on the edge of town.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- beggarlyadjective