IN-dih-jent
(adjective) Lacking money or basic necessities; impoverished.
The foundation provides aid to indigent families during the winter.
Fun Fact
“Indigent” shows up often in legal systems—like “indigent defense,” where courts provide attorneys to those who can’t afford one. The word is more formal than “poor,” often appearing in policy and grant language.
ig-nuh-MIN-ee-us
(adjective) Deserving or causing public shame, humiliation, or disgrace.
The team’s ignominious defeat became the talk of the league for weeks.
From Latin ignominia, meaning “disgrace” (in- “not” + nomen “name, reputation”).
Fun Fact
In older English, an ignominious punishment meant one designed to publicly shame the offender—branding, stocks, dunce caps, and other visible displays of dishonor. Today, the word is most often used metaphorically, describing humiliating losses, failures, or scandals. Its power comes from the social nature of shame: an ignominious moment sticks not because you remember it… but because everyone else does.
Today's Word Ignominious ig-nuh-MIN-ee-us Definition (adjective) Deserving or causing public...
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