pauper
PAW-per
/ˈpɔːpər/
A very poor person, especially one dependent on charity.
Often carries a slightly archaic or historical connotation, referring to someone in extreme poverty, usually without any means of support and reliant on public or private aid.
The story behind the word. The word 'pauper' comes directly from the Latin 'pauper,' meaning 'poor.' It entered English in the 15th century and was historically used to describe a person who was extremely poor, often dependent on public assistance or charity. It's the root of many other words related to poverty, including 'impoverished.'
Word relationships
- indigent: Similar, but 'pauper' more strongly implies reliance on charity.
- destitute person: A person utterly lacking necessities.
- millionaire: A person whose assets are worth one million pounds or dollars or more.
- magnate: A wealthy and influential businessman or businesswoman.
Commonly confused with
- beggar: A 'beggar' actively solicits money or food; a 'pauper' is simply a person in extreme poverty, not necessarily begging.
Word family
- pauperism (noun): The state or condition of being a pauper; destitution.
- pauperize (verb): To reduce to pauperism; to impoverish.
Collocations
- die a pauper
- parish pauper
- workhouse pauper
Example sentences
- "The workhouse was designed to house the local paupers, though conditions there were often harsh and dehumanizing." From a historical novel about Victorian England.
- "Once a wealthy merchant, he died a pauper, buried in an unmarked grave." Describing a character's dramatic fall from grace.
Memory hook
Think of 'PAU-PER' as 'POOR-person' – a simple, direct link to its meaning. Poor person
When not to use
Can sound dated or even derogatory if used in modern casual conversation. 'Poor person' or 'person experiencing homelessness' are generally preferred.
Fun facts
- Historically, 'pauper' was a legal term in England, referring to someone who received relief under the Poor Laws.
Related words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.