pauper

noun

pau·​per ˈpȯ-pər 

1

: a person destitute of means except such as are derived from charity

specifically : one who receives aid from funds designated for the poor

paupers on welfare

2

: a very poor person

pauperism

ˈpȯ-pə-ˌri-zəm 

noun

Examples of pauper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chelsea are hardly paupers domestically — no Premier League team is nowadays — but there’s a clear financial advantage in finishing higher up the table. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025

In October 1911, Tarrant County commissioners agreed to assist Immigration Inspector E. R. Dilworth in keeping a sharp lookout for foreign paupers in the area. —Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2025

They were presumed to be paupers from Mexico, looking for charity. —Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Mar. 2025

He was made to leave a pauper after years of hard work. —Kanak Kapur, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, poor — more at poor

First Known Use

1516, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pauper

• chopper
• copper
• cropper
• dropper
• popper
• proper
• shopper
• stopper
• topper
• whopper
• eavesdropper
• grasshopper

Kids Definition

pauper

noun

pau·​per ˈpȯ-pər 

: a very poor person

especially : one supported by charity

pauperism

-pə-ˌriz-əm 

noun

pauperize

-ˌrīz

verb

Legal Definition

pauper

noun

pau·​per ˈpȯ-pər 

: a person who is destitute and relying on charity

specifically : a person who is relieved of the costs and expenses of a court proceeding because of poverty