Vocabulary in context
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Indigent
Needy; penniless
adjectiveCheck this word before you leave
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Imagine This
After losing all his money betting on Indy car races, the man became penniless.
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Sounds Like
IN-dih-jent
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Looks Like
Indy (race cars) gent (gentleman)
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Remember This
Indigent is a formal, literary term derived from Latin and is commonly used in legal or charitable contexts to describe someone in poverty.
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Other Forms
indigencenoun
indigentlyadverb
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Connect With
destitute, impoverished, penniless, needy; poverty; want
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Note
Indigent describes severe poverty and is more formal than everyday 'poor.' It is often used with nouns like 'the indigent' or 'an indigent defendant' in legal or charitable contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The shelter provides meals and shelter for the indigent.
- The town council proposed new programs to aid indigent families.
Synonyms
needyimpoverisheddestitutepennilessimpecunious
Antonyms
prosperousaffluentwealthy
Etymology
From Late Latin indigent-, indigēns 'needy, lacking', from Latin indigēre 'to need', via Old French indigent.
Mnemonic
IN-DI-GENT: Think of 'in' + 'dig' + 'gent' — a gentleman who is in need; indigent means lacking funds.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Destitute
adjectiveLacking the basic necessities of life; extremely poor.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
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