1
a
: lacking material possessions
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty
2
a
: less than adequate : meager
b
: small in worth
3
: exciting pity
you poor thing
4
a
: inferior in quality or value
c
: mean, petty
5
6
: barren, unproductive
used of land
7
8
: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified
often used in combination
oil-poor countries
poorish
ˈpu̇r-ish How to pronounce poor (audio)
ˈpȯr-
adjective
poorness noun

Examples of poor in a Sentence

We were too poor to buy new clothes. The organization helps poor families. She has a poor vocabulary. It was a poor attempt at a joke. He is in poor condition. She couldn't read the sign because her vision was too poor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Consumer spending softened, increasing 1.8%, down from a 4% rise in the fourth quarter, but a decent performance in light of stock market turmoil and poor weather early in the quarter. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 1 May 2025 In addition, preliminary research from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that poor mental health may cost the U.S. economy nearly $300 billion annually. Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 Director of football Jon Rudkin is the man most hold accountable for the recent poor recruitment record. Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Still, some of the behavioral risks resemble sports betting, including the potential for addiction, poor money management and loss chasing, unrealistic expectations of success, and inappropriate reactions to negative results. Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poor

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poure, from Anglo-French povre, pore, from Latin pauper; akin to Latin paucus little and to Latin parere to give birth to, produce — more at few, pare

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of poor was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

poor

1 of 2 adjective
ˈpu̇(ə)r,
ˈpō(ə)r
1
: lacking riches or possessions
2
: less than enough
a poor crop
3
: not good in quality or character of work
4
: lacking fertility
poor land
5
: not satisfactory
the patient had a poor day
6
: lacking in signs of wealth or good taste
poor furnishings
7
: worthy of pity or sympathy
the poor kitten hurt its paw
poorly adverb
poorness noun

poor

2 of 2 plural noun
: poor people
charity for the poor

More from Merriam-Webster on poor

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