What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
poor
Example
The poor family struggled to make ends meet. [poor: adjective]
Example
He grew up in a poor neighborhood with limited opportunities. [poor: adjective]
underprivileged
Example
The organization provides support for underprivileged children in the community. [underprivileged: adjective]
Example
She works to empower underprivileged women through education and training. [underprivileged: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Poor is more commonly used than underprivileged in everyday language, as it is a more straightforward term. However, underprivileged is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe social and economic disparities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between poor and underprivileged?
Underprivileged is generally considered more formal than poor, as it is often used in academic or professional settings to discuss social and economic disparities.
