poorly

American  

[poor-lee] / ˈpʊər li /

adverb

1. in a poor manner or way.

   The team played poorly.

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adjective

1. in poor health; somewhat ill.

   I hear she's been poorly.

poorly British  

/ ˈpɔː-, ˈpʊəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a poor way or manner; badly

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adjective

1. informal (usually postpositive) in poor health; rather ill

   she's poorly today

Etymology

Origin of poorly

First recorded in 1250–1300, poorly is from the Middle English word pourely. See poor, -ly

Example Sentences

Poorly performing funds are most likely to get the chop.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Poorly designed flight control software was blamed for the crashes.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Speaking to the BBC, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: "Poorly performing water bosses should not be receiving a bonus and South East water is the poorest performer."

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

Poorly treated acute pain can sometimes turn into centralized, chronic pain, and a peripherally-functioning medication like suzetrigine should have no relevance to that.

From Salon • Feb. 10, 2025

Area Teenager Chooses Poorly My mother, the pacifist, would kill me dead if she knew what I’d just done.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Related Words

• badly
• crudely
• inadequately
• insufficiently