Down-and-out — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈdau̇n-ən(d)-ˈau̇t/

Meaning & Definition of Down-and-out

Down-and-out (adjective)

  1. destitute, impoverished
  2. physically weakened or incapacitated

Down-and-out (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking bodily strength

    "I'm over the flu, but I still feel down-and-out"

    similar: asthenic, debilitated, delicate, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail, infirm, languid, low, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, slight, soft, softened, tender, unsubstantial, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpish, wimpy
    related: disabled, incapacitated, invalid, paralyzed, broken-down, decrepit, impotent, powerless, breakable, flimsy, fragile, dizzy, groggy, rocky, unsteady, woozy, drained, exhausted, flagging, tired, weary, worn-out, damaged, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, unsound, resistless, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding
    opposite: mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong
    near: able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, fit, husky, muscular, sinewy, strapping, virile, hard, hardy, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sturdy, tough, fortified, hardened, inured, strengthened, toughened, energetic, energized, invigorated, vigorous, vitalized, hale, healthy, sound, capable, competent, convalescing, recovering, recuperating

  2. lacking money or material possessions

    "a soup kitchen where the down-and-out daily line up for a hot meal"

    similar: beggared, beggarly, broke, destitute, dirt-poor, famished, hard up, impecunious, impoverished, indigent, necessitous, needful, needy, pauperized, penniless, penurious, poor, poverty-stricken, skint (chiefly British), threadbare, down on one's luck, out at elbows, out of pocket
    related: deprived, disadvantaged, dispossessed, unaffluent, underprivileged, bankrupt, bankrupted, bust, insolvent, possessionless, ruined, depressed, distressed, hand-to-mouth, hardscrabble, pinched, poorish, reduced, straitened, cash-strapped, low, short, tapped out
    opposite: affluent, deep-pocketed, fat, fat-cat, flush, moneyed, opulent, rich, silk-stocking, wealthy, well-heeled, well-off, well-to-do
    near: comfortable, prosperous

Down-and-out (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in have-not, pauper

    similar: have-not, indigent, pauper, ne'er-do-well, hobo, tramp, vagabond, drifter, roamer, transient, almsman, beggar, mendicant, panhandler, gamine, ragamuffin, urchin, waif, bankrupt, insolvent
    opposite: affluent, deep pocket, fat cat, have, moneybags, plutocrat, billionaire, billionairess, gazillionaire, millionaire, millionairess, magnate, moneymaker, nabob, success, tycoon

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Down-and-out

The most common words with a similar meaning to Down-and-out:

Chiefly British: skint
asthenic, debilitated, delicate, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail, infirm, languid, low, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, slight, soft, softened, tender, unsubstantial, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpish, wimpy, beggared, beggarly, broke, destitute, dirt-poor, famished, hard up, impecunious, impoverished, indigent, necessitous, needful, needy, pauperized, penniless

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Down-and-out

Words with the opposite meaning of Down-and-out:

mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong, affluent, deep-pocketed, fat, fat-cat, flush, moneyed, opulent, rich, silk-stocking, wealthy, well-heeled, well-off, well-to-do, deep pocket, fat cat, have, moneybags, plutocrat, billionaire, billionairess, gazillionaire, millionaire, millionairess, magnate

Related Words for Down-and-out

disabled, incapacitated, invalid, paralyzed, broken-down, decrepit, impotent, powerless, breakable, flimsy, fragile, dizzy, groggy, rocky, unsteady, woozy, drained, exhausted, flagging, tired, weary, worn-out, damaged, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, unsound, resistless, susceptible

Near Antonyms of Down-and-out

able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, fit, husky, muscular, sinewy, strapping, virile, hard, hardy, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sturdy, tough, fortified, hardened, inured, strengthened, toughened, energetic, energized, invigorated, vigorous, vitalized, hale, healthy, sound

Word Forms of Down-and-out

Derived words: down-and-out (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Down-and-out

First known use: 1894

Frequently Asked Questions about Down-and-out

What does "Down-and-out" mean?

"Down-and-out" means destitute, impoverished. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: destitute, impoverished. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Down-and-out"?

Other words for "Down-and-out" include asthenic, debilitated, delicate, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint and feeble. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Down-and-out" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Down-and-out"?

There are 120 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Down-and-out". Common alternatives include asthenic, debilitated, delicate, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail and infirm.

What is the opposite of "Down-and-out"?

Antonyms of "Down-and-out" include mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong, affluent and deep-pocketed. Near antonyms include able-bodied, athletic, beefy and brawny.

How do you use "Down-and-out" in a sentence?

Examples of "Down-and-out" in a sentence: "I'm over the flu, but I still feel down-and-out"; "a soup kitchen where the down-and-out daily line up for a hot meal".

Is "Down-and-out" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Down-and-out" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Down-and-out"?

"Down-and-out" is pronounced /ˈdau̇n-ən(d)-ˈau̇t/.

What is the origin of the word "Down-and-out"?

First known use: 1894.