Penniless means having no money at all, not even a single penny. When someone is penniless, they can't buy lunch, pay for a bus ride, or get anything that costs money. The word describes having no money.

You might read about a character in a story who arrives in a new city penniless, with nothing but the clothes on their back. Or someone might become penniless after losing their job and spending all their savings. Being penniless is more dramatic than just being broke or short on cash: it means your pockets are truly empty.

In classic stories, penniless characters often have to be resourceful and creative, finding ways to survive and eventually improve their situation.