# poorly

/ˈpuɹɫi/ (US) · /pˈɔːli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/poorly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. badly or with low skill

adverb · CEFR B1

to do something in a way that is not good or lacks skill.

For teachers: in a manner that lacks skill, quality, or effectiveness.

- The house was poorly built and had many problems with the roof.
- The report was so poorly researched that the board of directors rejected the proposal without further discussion.

### 2. with disapproval

adverb · CEFR B2

to think of someone or something in a negative way.

For teachers: in a negative or unfavourable manner; used with verbs like 'think' or 'speak'.

- If you arrive late every day, your boss will think poorly of you.
- Critics spoke poorly of the director's latest film, citing a lack of character development and a predictable plot.

### 3. unwell or sick

adjective · CEFR B1 · British English

feeling sick or not very healthy.

For teachers: unwell, sick, or in poor health; typically used as a predicative adjective.

- My grandmother has been a bit poorly lately, so she is staying in bed.
- The doctor advised him to stay home for a few days as he was still looking rather poorly after the flu.

Usage: Usually follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'feel'.

Teaching tip: This is very common in British English but sounds quite formal or old-fashioned to American speakers.

## Examples

- He stayed home today because he is feeling poorly.
- The nurse checked on the patient who had been looking quite poorly since the surgery.
- Although she appeared somewhat poorly during the morning briefing, she insisted on completing her presentation before seeking medical advice.

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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.