poorly

[poor-lee]

adverb

1. in a poor manner or way.

   The team played poorly.

adjective

1. in poor health; somewhat ill.

   I hear she's been poorly.

poorly

/ ˈpɔː-, ˈpʊəlɪ /

adverb

1. in a poor way or manner; badly

adjective

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

   she's poorly today

Word History and Origins

Origin of poorly¹

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

Example Sentences

Polls consistently show that Americans are generally poorly informed about foreign policy and global affairs.

From Salon

In Krasnoyarsk, a city of more than a million people in Siberia, mobile internet vanished citywide for three days in July and still works poorly.

From BBC

However, a recent review of the water sector by Sir John Cunliffe recommended a new regulatory framework that would establish "a formal regime to support the turnaround of poorly performing companies".

From BBC

This can lead to some people developing issues such as a cough or runny nose but air-con only leads to serious problems like infections when units are poorly maintained or unclean.

From BBC

Tom Smith KC, for Poundland Limited, wrote that the retailer's financial position had "significantly deteriorated during the last two years" and that it had "performed poorly in a difficult retail and economic environment".

From BBC

Related Words

• badly 
• crudely 
• inadequately www.thesaurus.com
• insufficiently www.thesaurus.com