Vocabulary in context
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Indigence
Extreme poverty or destitution; the state of lacking the basic resources needed for living.
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Imagine This
Imagine a city street in winter where most people wear tattered coats. A homeless person shivers beside a closed storefront, clutching an empty cup while passersby hurry by, highlighting a palpable sense of indigence in the urban landscape.
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Sounds Like
IN-dih-juhns
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Looks Like
indigent (the related adjective)
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Remember This
Indigence is a formal, literary term often used in policy discussions, historical accounts, or serious journalism. It is stronger than simple 'poverty' and emphasizes severe lack of resources.
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Other Forms
indigentadjective
indigentlyadverb
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Connect With
poverty, destitution, penury, privation, impoverishment
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Note
Indigence refers to extreme poverty; avoid using it for everyday poverty. The adjective form is indigent, and the adverb form is indigently. Common mistakes include confusing it with 'income' or using it in casual speech when a simpler term like 'poverty' would suffice.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- During the drought, many families slipped into indigence and depended on charity for meals.
- The report documented the indigence of refugees and called for broader humanitarian aid.
Synonyms
destitutionpovertypenuryprivationimpoverishment
Antonyms
affluenceprosperitywealth
Etymology
From Medieval Latin indigentia, from Latin indigēre 'to lack, be in want' (prefix in- meaning 'not' + egere 'to lack'). The noun form arose to denote the state of lacking essentials.
Mnemonic
IN-NEED-GENCE: Visualize a city banner that reads 'IN NEED'—and remember that indigence is the state of being in need, extreme poverty.
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Foresee
verbTo anticipate or predict something before it happens; to have awareness of future events.
Foment
verbTo stir up, incite, or foster the growth of something, especially trouble, unrest, or rebellion.
Insightful
adjectiveHaving or showing a deep understanding of people, situations, or information; perceptive and insightful.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Penury
nounExtreme poverty; the state of lacking the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter, and clothing.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
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