A beggar is a person who asks strangers for money or food because they don't have enough to survive on their own. You might see beggars sitting on city sidewalks with signs, or approaching people on the street to request spare change. Throughout history and across the world, beggars have been part of human society, often living in extreme poverty.

The word also appears in common expressions. When someone says “beggars can't be choosers,” they mean that people in desperate need should accept whatever help they can get, even if it's not exactly what they wanted. If your friend complains about the free lunch their parents packed, you might remind them that beggars can't be choosers.

The verb form can mean to make something seem poor by comparison. A mansion might beggar a simple cottage next door, making it look shabby. Or an achievement might beggar description, meaning it's so impressive that words seem inadequate to capture it.

The word can also mean to make someone poor or to exhaust resources: constant repairs might beggar a family's savings.