What does poorly mean?
Poorly is an adverb meaning “in a bad or unsatisfactory way.” It is used to describe actions, performances, results, conditions, and sometimes levels of provision: a speech may be poorly delivered, a mechanism may work poorly, a room may be poorly lit, or a plan may be poorly conceived. The word can indicate failure, lack of skill, inadequate design, or an insufficient amount, but it does not always imply complete failure. For example, “The service was poorly organised” may mean that it was disorganised or simply handled inefficiently. Poorly is especially common in formal, professional, and technical contexts, where it provides a concise way to identify weaknesses in work, communication, or conditions. Its related adjective, poor, describes the thing itself, while poorly focuses on the manner or degree of the quality. The word is useful because it can express a direct negative judgment without requiring a longer explanation.
adverbIn a manner that is bad, inadequate, or unsuccessful. It can describe poor performance, insufficient quality or quantity, or a lack of skill or effectiveness.
- In a bad or unsatisfactory manner.
- With insufficient skill, care, or effectiveness.
- In insufficient quantity or to an inadequate degree.
"The proposal was poorly received by members of the committee."
"The team performed poorly in the second half of the match."
"The room was poorly lit, making it difficult to read the documents."
Poorly: the small word that can quietly upend a speech, a plan, or a reputation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does poorly come from?
Poorly is an English adverb formed from the adjective poor and the suffix -ly, which creates an adverb. The adjective poor came through Middle English from Old French and ultimately from the Latin word pauper, meaning a person who had little property. Poverty, pauper, and impoverish belong to the same broader Latin etymological family.
How poorly is actually used
Poorly is common in formal, professional, and technical writing as well as everyday speech. It can modify verbs, past participles, and adjectives, and its negative force may suggest inadequate quality, insufficient resources, or lack of competence depending on context.
Easily confused with poorly
Poor is an adjective describing something of low quality or insufficient resources, while poorly is an adverb describing the manner in which something is done.