词源是penn +iless词缀，中文意思是adj. 身无分文的贫穷的

例句

Because of her medical and her legal bills， she is now penniless and deeply in debt.由于医疗费和律师费，她现在身无分文，深陷负债。

Saying that John was badly off is to put it mildly. He was indeed penniless.说约翰境况不佳是委婉的说法，他其实已经身无分文。