abject poverty
phrase · Collocation / phrase C1
Plain meaning
extreme poverty that removes comfort, dignity, or security
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam contexts, it means extreme poverty that removes comfort, dignity, or security, usually in a more formal register.
In context
naturalThe discussion gave us a useful example of abject poverty.
examPolicy makers must consider abject poverty when evaluating long-term social and economic outcomes.
Common collocations
abject povertya clear example of abject povertyuse abject poverty appropriately
Watch out
Do not change the key word order in “abject poverty”; collocations sound natural because the words travel together.