Beggar — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈbe-gər/ beg·gar

Meaning & Definition of Beggar

Beggar (noun)

  1. someone who begs; especially, a usually unhoused person who lives by asking for money, food, etc.
  2. a poor or impoverished person
  3. man, boy

Beggar (verb)

  1. to reduce to poverty or the practice of asking for charity, to reduce to beggary
  2. to exceed the resources or abilities of, defy

Beggar (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who lives by public begging

    "the pitiful beggars that are such a common sight in underdeveloped countries"

    similar: mendicant, panhandler
    related: bohemian, bum, clochard, drifter, hobo, tramp, vagabond, vagrant, guttersnipe, urchin, waif, miserable, pauper, bludger (chiefly Australian & New Zealand), cadger, hanger-on, leech, moocher, parasite, schnorrer, sponge, sponger, dependent, deadbeat, derelict, idler, ne'er-do-well

Beggar (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in impoverish, pauperize

    similar: impoverish, pauperize, bankrupt, break, bust, ruin, reduce, straiten, clean (out), wipe out
    opposite: enrich, richen

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Beggar

The most common words with a similar meaning to Beggar:

mendicant, panhandler, impoverish, pauperize, bankrupt, break, bust, ruin, reduce, straiten, clean (out), wipe out

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Beggar

Words with the opposite meaning of Beggar:

enrich, richen

Related Words for Beggar

bohemian, bum, clochard, drifter, hobo, tramp, vagabond, vagrant, guttersnipe, urchin, waif, miserable, pauper, bludger, cadger, hanger-on, leech, moocher, parasite, schnorrer, sponge, sponger, dependent, deadbeat, derelict, idler, ne'er-do-well

Word Forms of Beggar

Inflections: beggars, beggared, beggaring

Origin & Etymology of Beggar

Middle English beggere, beggare, from beggen "to beg:1" + -ere, -are -er:2

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Beggar

beggar-my-neighbour, beggar's-lice, beggar-thy-neighbor, beggar-ticks, beggar belief, beggar description

Frequently Asked Questions about Beggar

What does "Beggar" mean?

"Beggar" means someone who begs; especially, a usually unhoused person who lives by asking for money, food, etc.. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: someone who begs; especially, a usually unhoused person who lives by asking for money, food, etc.. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Beggar"?

Other words for "Beggar" include mendicant, panhandler, impoverish, pauperize, bankrupt, break, bust and ruin. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Beggar" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Beggar"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Beggar". Common alternatives include mendicant, panhandler, impoverish, pauperize, bankrupt, break, bust, ruin, reduce and straiten.

What is the opposite of "Beggar"?

Antonyms of "Beggar" include enrich and richen.

How do you use "Beggar" in a sentence?

Examples of "Beggar" in a sentence: "the pitiful beggars that are such a common sight in underdeveloped countries".

Is "Beggar" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Beggar" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Beggar"?

"Beggar" is pronounced /ˈbe-gər/ and divided into syllables as beg·gar.

What is the origin of the word "Beggar"?

"Beggar" comes from Middle English beggere, beggare, from beggen "to beg:1" + -ere, -are -er:2. First known use: 13th century.