Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 down-and-out · IPA adj. n. 01 adj. impoverished; -- usually implying a state of dejection as well. 1. impoverished; -- usually implying a state of dejection as well. 2. physically weak. Syn. down-and-out. 02 n. a person who is destitute; as, he tried to help the down-and-out. 1. a person who is destitute; as, he tried to help the down-and-out.