penury – extreme poverty
(Pronounced pen-yuh-ree)
To remember the definition of the word penury, use the following mnemonic:
The pen you really (penury) wanted had to stay in the shop. You couldn't afford it because you are in extreme poverty.
Examples of penury in a sentence
Jason foolishly went from a lifestyle of wealth and privilege to one of penury and starvation.
My uncle wasted his fortune and died in penury.
Many people in third world countries live in penury and misery.
