pauper

noun

pau·​per ˈpȯ-pər 

1

: a person destitute of means except such as are derived from charity

specifically : one who receives aid from funds designated for the poor

paupers on welfare

2

: a very poor person

pauperism

ˈpȯ-pə-ˌri-zəm 

noun

Examples of pauper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Greer is predominantly livid that her son is marrying a pauper—even the housekeeper sneers at the fruit basket Amelia’s parents bring—until a body washes up on the shore. —Raven Smith, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2024

The currency devaluation caused those imports — already expensive because of high tariffs — to explode in price. Nigerians can become paupers almost overnight. —Ismail Auwal Taiwo Aina, New York Times, 11 June 2024

Kirby was buried a few days later in a pauper’s grave. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 4 May 2024

During Victorian times, paupers in workhouses who became ill could be cared for only by other destitute workhouse residents. —Melissa Pritchard, Discover Magazine, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, poor — more at poor

First Known Use

1516, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pauper

noun

pau·​per ˈpȯ-pər 

: a very poor person

especially : one supported by charity

pauperism

-pə-ˌriz-əm 

noun

pauperize

-ˌrīz

verb

Legal Definition

pauper

noun

pau·​per ˈpȯ-pər 

: a person who is destitute and relying on charity

specifically : a person who is relieved of the costs and expenses of a court proceeding because of poverty