Penury

usgb/ˈpenjəri/
noun

Extreme poverty or scarcity.

His family fell into penury after his business failed.
Visual representation of "penury" - extreme poverty or scarcity

Often appears as...

  • live in penury
  • fallen into penury

Usage tips

Formal

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "penury"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Economic Hardship

Use 'penury' to describe situations of severe financial difficulty, often long-lasting.

Illustration for Economic Hardship
He wrote his masterpiece while living in penury.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Temporary

'Penury' usually implies a chronic condition, not just a momentary lack of funds.

Illustration for Not Temporary
The novelist spent most of his life struggling against penury.
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Human Context

Often used to describe the state of people or populations, not companies or entities.

Illustration for Human Context
The new policy could leave thousands in penury.
Visual representation of the word "Penury"

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