poorly

1 of 2

adverb

poor·​ly ˈpu̇r-lē 

ˈpȯr-

: in a poor condition or manner

especially : in an inferior or imperfect way : badly

sang poorly

poorly

2 of 2

adjective

: somewhat ill : indisposed

Synonyms

Adverb

• bad
• badly
• deficiently
• inadequately
• lousily
• unacceptably
• unsatisfactorily
• wretchedly

Adjective

• ailing
• bad
• down
• ill
• indisposed
• peaked
• peaky
• punk
• run-down
• sick
• sickened
• unhealthy
• unsound
• unwell

Examples of poorly in a Sentence

Adverb

he tends to perform poorly on standardized tests

Adjective

she stayed home because she was feeling poorly

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

His defense rated oddly poorly last season (-16 defensive runs saved, zero outs above average), but year-to-year aberrations are not uncommon. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

To Lue’s dismay, the Clippers started poorly against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, falling behind by 26 points in the first quarter, their defense getting torched amid seven turnovers. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Both the United States and the United Nations have stepped back from leadership roles, a reflection of how poorly interventions in Haiti have gone and also the wide range of issues in other parts of the world at the moment. —Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024

Story will be a free agent and at this stage why would an accomplished player stay with the poorly run Rockies? —BostonGlobe.com, 27 Mar. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing poorly

• poorly kept secret
• speak well/poorly for

Kids Definition

poorly

adjective

poor·​ly

ˈpu̇(ə)r-lē,

ˈpō(ə)r-

: somewhat ill