down-and-out

adjective

ˈdau̇n-ən(d)-ˈau̇t 

1

: destitute, impoverished

2

: physically weakened or incapacitated

down-and-out noun

or down-and-outer

Synonyms of down-and-out

• weak
• weakened
• feeble
• frail
• disabled

Examples of down-and-out in a Sentence

I'm over the flu, but I still feel down-and-out

a soup kitchen where the down-and-out daily line up for a hot meal

Recent Examples on the Web

Not so long ago, Pratt seemed down-and-out and was selling crystals to make a living. — Louis Staples, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

Based on William Hjortsberg’s 1978 novel Fallen Angel and the sequel Angel’s Inferno, the series will follow a down-and-out NYC paparazzi, who makes his living finding and photographing people who don’t want to be found, who is hired by a mysterious man to find a missing woman. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 May 2026

Fort Greene Park | Free with RSVP A down-and-out ex-soccer player joins forces with a former monk to assemble an unlikely team of players to win the China Super Cup soccer tournament. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 May 2026

The once down-and-out chipmaker continues to fire on all cylinders under Lip Bu Tan, who has only been CEO for 13 months. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for down-and-out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout