# poorly

Pronunciation: say "POOR-lee" US /ˈpʊɹli/, UK /ˈpʊəli/

## Adverb

1. In a way that lacks skill or merit.
   - Simple: Not well, without much skill.
   - _The essay was poorly written and full of careless errors._
   - _The team defended poorly in the second half and gave up three goals._
2. With little or no success, profit, or advantage.
   - Simple: Without much success.
   - _The new restaurant did poorly and closed within a year._
   - _The film fared poorly at the box office despite strong reviews._
3. In a poor way or condition, without plenty, enough, or the things needed for comfort.
   - Simple: Without much money or the things you need to be comfortable.
   - _Many farm workers lived poorly, crowded into shacks with no heat._
   - _The soldiers were poorly fed and poorly clothed through the long winter._
4. Unfavorably, or with disapproval.
   - Simple: In a way that shows you do not like or approve of someone or something.
   - _The committee looks poorly on late applications._
   - _His rude behavior at the dinner reflects poorly on the whole team._
6. In a mean, spiritless way, without dignity or courage.
   - Simple: In a weak way that shows no courage or pride.

## Adjective

5. Ill or unwell. *(UK)*
   - Simple: Sick, not feeling well.
   - _The school rang to say our daughter was feeling poorly and needed collecting._
   - _Gran has been very poorly since her fall in the spring._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–4, 6** — From Middle English poorly, pouerly, poreliche, poureliche, pouerliche, equivalent to poor + -ly.
**Meaning 5** — Formed from poor + the suffix -ly.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/poorly (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).