adjective
deficient in basic economic and social resources
the role of the school in bettering the lot of underprivileged children
Synonyms: depressed, deprived, disadvantaged
Related Word: handicapped; hapless, ill-fated, ill-starred, unfortunate, unlucky; impoverished, needy, poor
Idioms: badly off, in adverse circumstances, out of luck
Contrasted words: advantaged, fortunate, privileged; coddled, indulged, spoiled