Squalor: meaning, definitions and examples

living conditions

Squalor refers to a state of extreme filth and degradation, typically arising from neglect or poverty. It describes conditions that are unclean and unhealthy, often associated with overcrowded and substandard housing. People living in squalor may face significant health risks and lack basic necessities. The term can also imply a moral degradation, highlighting deficiencies in living standards and human dignity.

degradation, dirtiness, filth, neglect, poverty

Examples of usage

• The family lived in squalor, with trash piling up in every room.

• Squalor was evident in the abandoned buildings throughout the city.

• After the flood, many residents found themselves in squalor with no means to clean up.

• He wrote an article exposing the squalor of conditions in the shelter.