poorly

English

Etymology

poor +‎ -ly

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɔː(r)li

Adverb

poorly (comparative poorlier or more poorly, superlative poorliest or most poorly)

  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
  3. Meanly; without spirit.
    • Dryden
      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.

Usage notes

  • Verbs to which "poorly" is often applied as an adverb to suggest insufficiency or inadequacy: planned, conceived, executed, implemented, performing, managed, controlled, designed, represented, differentiated, suited, built, dressed, soluble, ventilated, known, paid, used etc.

Example: Putting a Clif bar in a Magic Bullet will end poorly.

Adjective

poorly (not comparable)

  1. ill, unwell, sick

Synonyms

  • See also Thesaurus:diseased

Translations

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