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

Local stats show North County roundabouts perform poorly Newsom wants camping bans in every city. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025

Things started off poorly for Houck, who allowed a leadoff single and a two-run home run to Gleyber Torres right out of the chute in the bottom of the first. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025

Adjective

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

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

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