Etymology Map
Back to all words

Poverty

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the state of being extremely poor

Where does the word "poverty" come from? It comes from Latin paupertas, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
paupertas
Latin · ancient
"poverty"
from 'pauper', poor
2
Stage 2 of 3
poverté
Old French · medieval
"poverty"
the root of 'poor' and 'impoverish'
3
Stage 3 of 3
poverty
English · 1100s
"lack of wealth"
one of the monastic vows
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Poverty’s story begins in Latin: paupertas meant “poverty.” From 'pauper', poor. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as poverté. The root of 'poor' and 'impoverish'. It reached English by 1100s as poverty. One of the monastic vows. Today, poverty means the state of being extremely poor.