# indigence

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɪndɪd͡ʒəns/

## Definitions
1. Extreme poverty or destitution.

## Etymology
From Middle English indigence, late 14th century, from Old French indigence (13th century), from Latin indigentia, from indigentem, form of indigēre (“to need”), from indu (“in, within”) + egēre (“be in need, want”).
Only relation to antonym affluence is common Latinate suffix + -ence.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/indigence