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Glite Dictionary
have-not

have-not

∞ 7.3
A person who has little money and few things
  • noun
  • /ˈhævˌnɑt/
translation icon : pobre
  • Many individuals in our society are classified as have-nots due to the rising cost of living.

And what's happening is, is you're making this gap wider between the have and the haves not have nots.

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Examples

  • In cases where people end up in sham tenancies, it's usually because they haven't had adequate advocacy.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The charity aims to support have-nots by providing food and essential services.

  • Everyone thinks that they're a have not relative to some other have, and everyone is a have to some other have not.

    Tom Bilyeu

  • They're winners, there are losers, and there are people who have not discovered how to win, and all they need is some coaching.

  • In discussions about economic inequality, the term have-not is often used to highlight those in need.

Synonyms

less fortunate
vshave-not
36 3.3

People who have little money or few chances

is stronger and more direct about lacking money or status
poor person
vshave-not
8 1.0

A person who has very little money and few things

is used similarly but highlights contrast with the well off

Antonyms

wealthy
520 2.5

Having a lot of money and many expensive things

affluent
67 5.5

Having a lot of money and possessions

How Wealthy

well-off
33 3.4
working-class
56 3.4
have-not
∞ 7.3
destitute
20 6.5

Surface Forms

have-not singular
have-nots plural

Morphology

have-not = have + not (transparent) = have + not

The noun is a direct compound of 'have' + 'not' and plainly denotes someone who does not have possessions.

Etymology

The word have-not is simply made from have and not, so it literally means 'not having' something, usually money or things. Think of it as the opposite of the simple word haves, people who 'have' wealth, so a have-not is someone who does not have much money or resources.