adv
Common
poorly
POOR-lee
Poorly (adv) means In a way that lacks skill, quality, or success. Example: “He did poorly in the interview and was not offered the job.”
adv
1
In a way that lacks skill, quality, or success.
"He did poorly in the interview and was not offered the job."
"The shop was poorly lit, so we could barely read the labels."
"The team played poorly in the second half."
adj
1
Feeling unwell or sick (chiefly British).
"Grandad has been poorly all week, so we are taking him some soup."
"I'm feeling a bit poorly today, so I think I'll go to bed early."
"We talk about Kim, who is very poorly now. He can hardly see at all, and his legs are suppurating."
— Carla van Raay, The Passing of a Friend (2008)
"She stayed home from school because she felt poorly."
"to report one's child poorly"
How to use poorly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBadly done, or (in British English) feeling ill.
UK vs US
The "feeling ill" sense of poorly is mainly British; American English would say "sick" instead.
Common pairings
perform poorly
feel poorly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more poorly, poorlier
- Superlative
- most poorly, poorliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He did _____ in the interview and was not offered the job.
Etymology
From Middle English poorly, formed from poor + -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for poorly
See all rhymes for poorly →Frequently asked questions
What does “poorly” mean?
The word “poorly” means in a way that lacks skill, quality, or success. In plain terms, badly done, or (in British English) feeling ill.
How do you pronounce “poorly”?
“Poorly” is pronounced POOR-lee (/ˈpʊɹ.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “poorly” in a sentence?
Here is “poorly” used in a sentence: “The team played poorly in the second half.”
What part of speech is “poorly”?
Depending on how it is used, “poorly” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Where does the word “poorly” come from?
The word “poorly” comes from Middle English. From Middle English poorly, formed from poor + -ly.
Is “poorly” a common word?
“Poorly” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “poorly” have?
“Poorly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that lacks skill, quality, or success.
What is the difference between poorly and badly?
As adverbs, poorly and badly both describe something done without skill, quality, or success and are often interchangeable. Badly is the more common everyday choice, while poorly can sound slightly more formal or measured.
Does poorly mean sick or unwell?
Yes, but chiefly in British English. There, poorly is used as an adjective meaning feeling unwell or sick, as in "she's been poorly all week." This sense is much less common in American English.
Can poorly be used as an adjective?
Yes. Besides working as an adverb meaning "badly," poorly serves as an adjective meaning unwell or ill, especially in British usage. Context makes clear which sense is intended.
