Basic Details
Word: Penury
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Extreme poverty or lack of money.
Synonyms: Poverty, destitution, deprivation
Antonyms: Wealth, affluence, prosperity
Idioms and Phrases
- Born into penury: Refers to someone born into a life of extreme poverty. Example: "He was born into penury but worked hard to change his circumstances."
- Live in penury: To exist in a state of extreme poverty. Example: "The family's struggles made them live in penury for many years."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Many families in the region faced penury after the flood destroyed their homes.
Example 2: The charity aims to alleviate penury by providing food and shelter to those in need.
Example 3: Despite his talent, the artist lived in penury for most of his life before gaining recognition.
Fun Fact
The word "penury" originates from the Latin word "penuria," meaning "want" or "lack." It was used in English since the 15th century to describe extreme need or poverty.
Famous Quote
"Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime." Aristotle
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "penury" mean?
a) Wealth
b) Extreme poverty
c) Happiness
d) Success
Answer: b) Extreme poverty
2. Which of these is a synonym of "penury"?
a) Affluence
b) Wealth
c) Deprivation
d) Riches
Answer: c) Deprivation
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "penury"?
a) Destitution
b) Lack
c) Wealth
d) Need
Answer: c) Wealth
4. Which sentence uses "penury" correctly?
a) They celebrated their victory with penury.
b) The family faced penury after losing their jobs.
c) She wrote a book about living in penury.
d) He dressed up in penury for the party.
Answer: b) The family faced penury after losing their jobs.
5. Which idiom means to be born into poverty?
a) Live in penury
b) Born into penury
c) Strike it rich
d) Make ends meet
Answer: b) Born into penury
