beggary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “beggary” mean?
The state of being a beggar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being a beggar; extreme poverty, destitution.
The practice of begging; a condition of abject need or lack.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare and formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes a severe, often visible state of poverty associated with having to ask for alms. Can imply moral judgment or a pitiable condition.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. More likely found in historical, literary, or rhetorical contexts than in contemporary news or everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “beggary” in a Sentence
[Subject/Person] + be/reduced/condemned + to + beggaryBeggary + verb (exists, prevails)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in hyperbolic rhetoric about business failure ('the project left the company in beggary').
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or literary studies discussing poverty, social class, or Victorian literature.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound unusually formal or dramatic.
Technical
Not a technical term in any major field.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beggary”
- Using it as a countable noun (*'He experienced many beggaries').
- Confusing it with 'begging'.
- Using it in casual, modern contexts where 'poverty' or 'being broke' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is quite rare and formal. Words like 'extreme poverty' or 'destitution' are more common in modern usage.
Its primary meaning is the state of being a beggar (extreme poverty). While it can secondarily refer to the practice of begging, this is less common and the word 'begging' is preferred for the activity.
'Beggary' is a more severe, absolute, and often dramatic term. It implies a level of destitution where one must beg to survive. 'Poverty' is a broader, more neutral, and more commonly used term.
Not directly. The related adjective is 'beggarly', which means 'meanly inadequate; very poor', as in 'a beggarly salary'. It can carry a derogatory tone.
The state of being a beggar.
Beggary is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Beggary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɛɡəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛɡəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not a common source for idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BEGGAR asking for money. BEGGARY is the state that BEGGAR is in.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGGARY IS A PLACE/CONDITION (reduced to, fallen into, live in beggary).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'beggary' MOST appropriately used?