poorly
Americanadverb
adjective
adverb
adjective
Etymology
Origin of poorly
First recorded in 1250–1300, poorly is from the Middle English word pourely. See poor, -ly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It remains too difficult for consumers to contact companies when things go wrong, financial support is poorly promoted, while basic billing errors are pushing households further into debt," he said.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
The buzz in Beirut of Israeli drones overhead, along with the constant din of poorly regulated diesel generators, underscores the government’s weakness.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
As a soccer enthusiast, Luna has played many positions — all of them rather poorly, he confesses.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
At that scale, liquids tend to mix poorly because turbulence is largely absent.
From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026
Ashmodai glanced at him, and tsked as if Boaz were a poorly behaved puppy.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
