poorly

Valid in Scrabble

Scrabble points
11
Words With Friends
12
Letters
6
Pronunciation
/ˈpʊə.li/
See all 4 pronunciations
/ˈpʊə.li/ · /ˈpɔː.li/ · /ˈpʊɹ.li/ · /ˈpɔɹ.li/

Definition of poorly

6 senses · 2 parts of speech · etymology included

adv

  1. In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort.
    “to live poorly”
See all 6 definitions

adv

  1. In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort.
    “to live poorly”
  2. With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage.
    “to do poorly in business”
    ““The Budget proposes eliminating Supporting Effective Instruction (SEI) State Grants (Title II State grants), a program that provides formula funds to States to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other schools leaders. SEI grants are poorly targeted and funds are spread too thinly to have a meaningful impact on student outcomes.”
  3. Meanly; without spirit.
    “Nor is their courage or their wealth so low, / That from his wars they poorly would retire.”
  4. Without skill or merit.
    “He plays tennis poorly.”
  5. In a negative manner; with disapproval; unfavorably.
    “I think poorly of them.”
    “She looked poorly on that suggestion.”

adj

  1. (UK)Ill, unwell, sick.
    “to report one's child poorly”
    “We talk about Kim, who is very poorly now. He can hardly see at all, and his legs are suppurating.”
    “A hospital was established very quickly – beds and clean sheets and skilled care – then by ambulance my cousin and I were taken to Celle and here hospital staff were wonderful. […] particular attention was given to my cousin who was poorlier than me […]”

Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.

Etymology

From Middle English poorly, pouerly, poreliche, poureliche, pouerliche, equivalent to poor + -ly.

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