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

British, informal

: somewhat ill : indisposed

feeling poorly

Synonyms of poorly

Adverb

• badly
• bad
• horribly

Adjective

• sick
• bad
• down
• ill

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

Though dozens of these events have been detected, LFBOTs are still poorly understood, though scientists have linked them to the destruction of stars. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026

Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney, told the swelling crowd along Portland Avenue that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were poorly trained and their operations lacked legitimacy. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026

Adjective

This involves having a poorly or non-functioning colon and is not usually reversible. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025

The researchers and their partners are also working to track local residents’ health and to measure how well or poorly interventions like masks and household air filters protected them. —Maggie Astor, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

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