B1nounsocietymoney
US/ˈpɑː.vər.ti/
UK/ˈpɒv.ə.ti/
the state of having too little money to pay for basic things like food and housing
In context
Millions of families in the region still live in poverty despite rapid economic growth.
Vietnam has reduced poverty sharply since the economic reforms of the late 1980s.
Many children from poverty-stricken villages leave school early to help their parents.
Words that go with poverty
verb + preposition
- live in povertyAround one in ten people in the country still live in poverty.
verb + noun
- reduce povertyCheap microloans have helped reduce poverty in many rural areas.
- escape povertyFor many young people, education is the only way to escape poverty.
adjective + noun
- extreme povertyThe number of people in extreme poverty fell during the last two decades.
noun + noun
- poverty lineHer family's income is just above the poverty line.
noun + preposition
- cycle of povertyFree school meals can help break the cycle of poverty.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
They live in the poor.Correct: They live in poverty.