Top Definitions
Quiz
Examples

poorish

[ poor-ish ]

/ ˈpʊər ɪʃ /

Save This Word!

adjective

somewhat poor; rather poor.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of poorish

First recorded in 1650–60; poor + -ish¹

Words nearby poorish

poor boy, poor boy sweater, poor-do, poor farm, poorhouse, poorish, Poor Joe, poor law, poorly, poor man's orange, poor mouth

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use poorish in a sentence

About nightfall,—their horse having made poorish fight, though the foot had stood to it like men,—they roll universally away.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XV. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
Without more or less of this knowledge, a lady, even the wife of a peer, is but a poorish thing.
Advice to Young Men|William Cobbett
Never mind your being poorish as yet; there's money in your head-piece as there's money i' the sown field, but it must ha' time.
Adam Bede|George Eliot
It was, in fact, a poorish match and the young couple were dependent more or less on Wardle.
Pickwickian Studies|Percy Fitzgerald

Dartie reflected that Bosinney would have a poorish time in that cab if he didn't look sharp!
The Forsyte Saga, Complete|John Galsworthy