Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Poorly

Poor′ly

,
adv.
1.
In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort;
as, to live
poorly
.
2.
With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage;
as, to do
poorly
in business
.
3.
Meanly; without spirit.
Nor is their courage or their wealth so low,
That from his wars they
poorly
would retire.
Dryden.
4.
Without skill or merit;
as, he performs
poorly
.
Poorly off
,
not well off; not rich.

Poor′ly

,
Adj.
Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health.
“Having been poorly in health.”
T. Scott.

Webster 1828 Edition


Poorly

POOR'LY

,
adv.
Without wealth; in indigence or want of the conveniences and comforts of life; as, to live poorly.
1.
With little or no success; with little growth, profit or advantage; as, wheat grows poorly on the Atlantic borders of New England; these men have succeeded poorly in business.
2.
Meanly; without spirit.
Nor is their courage or their wealth so low,
That from his wars they poorly would retire.
3.
Without excellence or dignity. He performs poorly in elevated characters.

POOR'LY

,
Adj.
Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health; a common use of the word in America.
For three or four weeks past I have lost ground, having been poorly in health.

Definition 2024


poorly

poorly

English

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, etc.

Adjective

poorly (not comparable)

  1. ill, unwell, sick

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:diseased

Translations