The Working Poor

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /ðə ˈwɜrkɪŋ pʊr/

Definitions of the working poor

noun a person or group of people who are employed but still live in poverty

Example Sentences

A1 The working poor struggle to make ends meet.

A2 The working poor often have jobs that do not pay enough to cover basic living expenses.

B1 Government policies aimed at helping the working poor include tax credits and affordable housing initiatives.

B2 The working poor face challenges such as lack of access to healthcare and limited job opportunities.

C1 Socioeconomic factors contribute to the cycle of poverty experienced by the working poor.

C2 Efforts to address the needs of the working poor require a multi-faceted approach involving education, job training, and social services.

adjective describing the state of being both employed and living in poverty

Example Sentences

A1 The working poor struggle to make ends meet.

A2 Many organizations provide assistance to the working poor.

B1 Government policies often overlook the needs of the working poor.

B2 There are various factors contributing to the cycle of poverty among the working poor.

C1 Socioeconomic disparities continue to affect the working poor in urban areas.

C2 Policy makers must address the systemic issues that perpetuate the struggles of the working poor.

Examples of the working poor in a Sentence

formal The working poor are individuals who have jobs but still struggle to make ends meet due to low wages.

informal It's tough out there for the working poor, trying to juggle work and bills with little to spare.

slang Those working stiffs just can't catch a break, always scraping by paycheck to paycheck.

figurative The working poor are like hamsters on a wheel, constantly running but never getting ahead.

Grammatical Forms of the working poor

past tense

worked

plural

the working poors

comparative

more working poor

superlative

most working poor

present tense

are working poor

future tense

will be working poor

perfect tense

have been working poor

continuous tense

are being working poor

singular

the working poor

positive degree

working poor

infinitive

to be working poor

gerund

working poor

participle

working poor

Origin and Evolution of the working poor

First Known Use: 0019 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'the working poor' originated in the United States during the Industrial Revolution when there was a growing class of individuals who were employed but still struggled to make ends meet.
Evolution of the word: Initially used to describe individuals who were employed but lived in poverty due to low wages, the term 'the working poor' has evolved to encompass a broader range of individuals who work full-time or part-time but still live below the poverty line.