underprivileged

adjective

un·​der·​priv·​i·​leged ˌən-dər-ˈpriv-lijd 

-ˈpri-və-

1

: deprived through social or economic condition of some of the fundamental rights of all members of a civilized society

2

: of or relating to underprivileged people

underprivileged areas of the city

Synonyms

• deprived
• disadvantaged
• impoverished
• poor
• depressed

Examples of underprivileged in a Sentence

an organization that distributes free books to underprivileged children

Recent Examples on the Web

Code Avengers runs the Digital Navigators program, which provides in-person workshops for underprivileged children around the globe. —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025

Running Ali Model English School, her late father’s initiative, set up for underprivileged children in Karachi’s Korangi Town in 2009, Zehra reveals that art activities were, and always have been, a huge focus at the school. —Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

What To Know New Mexico ranked as the state with the most underprivileged children in WalletHub's 2025 report. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025

In it, attention-seeking Dunder Mifflin manager Michael Scott (Carell) pledges to pay the college tuition for a group of underprivileged third-graders. —Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 16 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing underprivileged

• the underprivileged

Rhymes for underprivileged

• privileged
• unprivileged

Kids Definition

underprivileged

adjective

un·​der·​priv·​i·​leged -ˈpriv-(ə-)lijd 

: having fewer privileges than others : poor