destitute
destitute
Pronunciation
Here's the IPA phonetic spelling for "destitute" along with a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
IPA: /ˈdɛstɪtjuːt/ (This is for General American pronunciation)
de (dɛ)
/d/: voiced alveolar plosive (similar to the "d" in "dog")
/ɛ/: near-low front unrounded vowel (similar to the "a" in "bet")
sti (stɪ)
/s/: voiceless alveolar fricative (similar to the "s" in "sip")
/t/: voiceless alveolar plosive (similar to the "t" in "stop")
/ɪ/: near-close near-central unrounded vowel (similar to the "i" in "bit")
tute (tjuːt)
/t/: voiceless alveolar plosive (similar to the "t" in "stop")
/j/: voiced palatal approximant (similar to the "y" in "yes") - This sound can sometimes disappear in fast speech (yod-coalescence)
/uː/: close back rounded vowel (similar to the "oo" in "boot")
Word Form Variations
"Destitute" itself doesn't have variations for singular and plural since it's not a noun referring to countable objects. It functions as an adjective to describe something.
Here are the related word forms you might find useful:
Adverb: destitutely (describes how something is destitute)
Noun: destituteness** (the state of being destitute)
Less common adjective (rare): predestitute (meaning existing beforehand in a destitute state)
Opposite adjective: undestitute (meaning not destitute, having resources)
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition:
In a state of extreme poverty; lacking the basic necessities for survival, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
Completely lacking in something needed or desirable.
Synonyms: impoverished, indigent, needy, poverty-stricken, penniless, down-and-out, broke, strapped, bare (of resources)
Antonyms: affluent, wealthy, well-off, comfortable, resourceful, abundant (of something)
Noun (less common):
Definition: A person who is in a state of extreme poverty.
Synonyms: pauper, beggar, indigent (as a noun)
Antonyms: wealthy person, well-off person
Adverb:
Definition: In a destitute manner; lacking in resources.
Synonyms: impoverishedly, indigently, needily, poverty-strickenly
Antonyms: affluently, wealthily, comfortably, abundantly
Verb (not common):
There isn't a commonly used verb form for "destitute." You would likely use a verb like "become" or "fall" with "destitute" as an adjective (e.g., "They became destitute after losing their jobs").
Examples of Use
Book:
"The war left many families destitute, struggling to rebuild their lives." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)
Newspaper:
"The economic crisis has pushed millions into destitution, with food banks overwhelmed by demand." (The Guardian)
Online Publication:
"A recent report highlights the growing problem of destitute veterans, with many unable to access proper housing and healthcare." (National Public Radio)
Entertainment Medium (Movie):
"In the movie Slumdog Millionaire, the protagonist navigates a life of destitution in the slums of Mumbai."
Entertainment Medium (Song):
"Desperado" by Eagles: The lyrics "Desperado, oughtta see a show / A little worn out from chasing dreams / So I’m going down to Mexico" imply a destitute and desperate state.
General Public Discourse:
"The conversation focused on the need for government programs to help those facing destitution."
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Destitute
While "destitute" is a powerful word, it's not as common in famous quotes as one might expect. Here are a few quotes that use "destitute" or similar concepts:
"When a poor man becomes destitute, it is a moral evil, teeming with consequences and injurious to society and morality." - Victor Hugo (French author) [This quote uses "destitute" directly]
"The only true wealth is life. Everything else is just stuff, and it can all be lost. But if you have life, you can get more stuff." - Ernest Hemingway (American author) [Focuses on the value of life over material possessions]
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela (South African revolutionary and politician) [Highlights the resilience needed to overcome hardship]
"An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind." - Mahatma Gandhi (Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and civil rights activist) [Promotes compassion over vengeance, a situation that can lead to destitution]
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (Irish statesman and political theorist) [Inaction can allow suffering to persist]
"The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." - Albert Schweitzer (German-Alsatian theologian, physician, missionary, and organist) [Emphasises the importance of helping those in need]
"Justice is the reparation to the injured according to law." - Marcus Tullius Cicero (Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and orator) [A just society strives to prevent destitution]
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (American essayist, poet, and transcendentalist philosopher) [Highlights the power of individual choice to overcome challenges]
"The care of the human body and the human spirit needs to be just as much a part of education as the training of the intellect or the development of skills." - Margaret Mead (American anthropologist) [Education that ignores basic needs can leave individuals vulnerable]
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr. (American Baptist minister and activist) [Spreading kindness can break cycles of poverty and despair]
Etymology
The word "destitute" comes from a long journey through languages! Here's the breakdown in simple terms:
Origin: The root of "destitute" is from the Latin word "statuere," which means "to set up" or "to place."
Transformation: Think of "statue" or "institute" – they both involve establishing something. From "statuere," another Latin word, "destituere," was formed. This word means "to abandon" or "to deprive of something."
Prefix Power: The prefix "de-" in "destitute" means "away from" or "down from." So, putting it all together, "destitute" literally means "having been set down from something" or "deprived of a position."
First Use: The word "destitute" first showed up in English around the 1400s, likely borrowed directly from Latin. Back then, it meant the same thing – lacking something important.
So, while the origin might seem complex, "destitute" basically means being in a bad situation, stripped of the things you need to survive.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Destitute
Destitute of: This is a common phrase meaning lacking something specific.
Example: "The refugees were destitute of food and shelter."
Down and out: This idiom describes someone who is in a very poor and unfortunate situation, often homeless.
At rock bottom: This idiom signifies the absolute worst point in a situation, where someone might be destitute.
Bare bones: This refers to the absolute minimum amount of something needed to survive. Someone living at bare bones might be considered destitute.
Can't afford the salt on their fries: This is a more informal way of saying someone is very poor, unable to afford even small luxuries.
Penniless and shoeless: This emphasizes the lack of both money and basic possessions, suggesting destitution.
Living hand to mouth: This describes someone who has barely enough money to survive day by day, potentially facing destitution.
Scrape by: Similar to "living hand to mouth," this suggests barely managing to get by financially, close to being destitute.
Posts Related to Destitute
Source Information
Definition of destitute from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.