indigents

[/ˈɪndɪdʒənts/]
nounpl: indigents
indigentes
1. people who are extremely poor and lack the basic necessities of life
The organization provides food and shelter to indigents in the city.
A organização fornece comida e abrigo para os indigentes na cidade.
2. individuals who are destitute or in a state of absolute poverty
The government implemented programs to assist indigents during the economic crisis.
O governo implementou programas para auxiliar os indigentes durante a crise econômica.
In Brazil, the term 'indigentes' is commonly used in social work, government assistance programs, and legal contexts related to poverty. The country has various social initiatives (bolsa família, SUAS) specifically designed to support this population. In the USA, 'indigents' is a formal/legal term more commonly used in court cases and official documentation than in everyday conversation, where people might say 'homeless,' 'poor,' or 'impoverished.'
NYC Slang
broke folks / street people / the homeless
Synonyms / Sinônimos
paupersdestitutepoorimpoverishedneedydowntrodden
Antonyms / Antônimos
wealthyrichaffluentprosperous

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
indigentes
Standard term used in social services and official contexts
Rio de Janeiro
indigentes / mendigos
May colloquially use mendigos (beggars) to refer to street indigents
São Paulo
indigentes / carentes
Also uses carentes (needy) in social welfare discussions
Portugal
indigentes
Same term used; also pobres (poor) in informal contexts

Related Words

indigenceindigencypovertydestitutionhomelessnesswelfare

Related Idioms & Phrases

living in abject poverty
dirt poor
living hand to mouth
having nothing to one's name
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