# poorer

/ˈpuɹɝ/ (US) · /pˈɔːɹɐ/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/poorer
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

having less money or fewer resources than another person or group. It also describes something that is lower in quality or has less of a good ingredient.

For teachers: the comparative form of 'poor', indicating a greater lack of financial means or a lower standard of quality relative to another entity.

## Examples

- The soil in this garden is poorer than in the field.
- Families in the northern districts are often poorer than those living near the capital due to fewer job opportunities.
- The study found that children from poorer backgrounds often face significant barriers to higher education, regardless of their academic potential or personal ambition.

## Pitfalls

- Not "more poorer" but "poorer" — Poorer is already a comparative form; adding 'more' is a double comparison error common among learners.

## Usage notes

- Comparative adjective; typically followed by 'than' when making a direct comparison.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.