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 Taken as a whole, however, Gen Z is in poor mental health and is lagging behind previous generations on many important metrics. Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2024 In the 1960s, the Appalachian Regional Commission helped spur highway construction across one of the nation’s poorest areas. Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 The campaign, however, was rebuked by the organization Veterans of Foreign Wars for being in poor taste, and America West soon after filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The nonprofit found that women in the department faced harassment, degrading comments, limited promotional opportunities and poor representation in leadership. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Many shared similar complaints about management, maintenance and government oversight: Management doesn't have the trust of residents, and communication is poor, tenants said. Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 Higgins thought a different approach was needed given the issues plaguing the Arkansas detention facility and the jail's poor living conditions, where inmates can spend upwards of 23 hours a day in their cells. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 For instance, in our survey, the percentage of Americans who are hopeful for the future of the country drops from 62% among those who say their mental health is good to 32% among those who say their mental health is poor. Clay Routledge, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Today about 10 men/women have the total wealth equivalent of the world’s poorest 3.8 billion people. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near poor

Cite this Entry

“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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 noun plural
: poor people
charity for the poor

More from Merriam-Webster on poor

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