Quick answer
Impecunious means having little or no money. It is usually pronounced im-pih-KYOO-nee-us, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Impecunious
Impecunious describes someone or something that is having little or no money. It belongs to pompous and grandiloquent words and works best in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
pompousformalgrandiloquent
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If something is impecunious, it is having little or no money. The word usually adds a stronger tone than a simpler adjective, which is why it suits formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight so well.
Why this word feels absurd
Impecunious feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Impecunious is generally traced to from Latin pecunia for money. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Impecunious is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
Example sentences
- The review called the minister’s reply positively impecunious.
- One impecunious remark was enough to sour the entire meeting.
- The novel introduces a impecunious uncle who complains before breakfast.
- His impecunious tone made the ordinary objection sound much worse than it was.
- She likes the word because even the insult feels slightly theatrical when it is impecunious.
When should you use this word?
Use impecunious when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight.
Similar words
broke, poor, cash-strapped, penniless
Opposite or contrasting words
wealthy, affluent, solvent
Common questions
- What does impecunious mean? Having little or no money.
- How do you pronounce impecunious? It is commonly pronounced im-pih-KYOO-nee-us.
- Is impecunious still used today? Impecunious is still used today, though it often turns up in more formal, literary, or analytical writing than in casual conversation.
- When should you use impecunious? Use impecunious when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in formal mockery, pompous speeches, and sentences that want impressive weight.
- What words are similar to impecunious? Similar words include broke, poor, cash-strapped, and penniless.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.