What does poorly mean?

(`ill' is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well; "he was ill prepared"; "it ill befits a man to betray old friends"; "the car runs badly"; "he performed badly on the exam"; "the team played poorly"; "ill-fitting clothes"; "an ill- conceived plan" somewhat ill or prone to illness; "my poor ailing grandmother"; "feeling a bit indisposed today"; "you look a little peaked"; "feeling poorly"; "a sickly child"; "is unwell and can't come to work"

What part of speech is poorly?

Poorly is an adverb and an adjective.

How many definitions does poorly have?

Poorly has 2 definitions across 2 parts of speech (adverb, adjective).

Poorly Definition & Meaning

poorly

adverb

(`ill' is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well; "he was ill prepared"; "it ill befits a man to betray old friends"; "the car runs badly"; "he performed badly on the exam"; "the team played poorly"; "ill-fitting clothes"; "an ill- conceived plan"

adjective

somewhat ill or prone to illness; "my poor ailing grandmother"; "feeling a bit indisposed today"; "you look a little peaked"; "feeling poorly"; "a sickly child"; "is unwell and can't come to work"

Synonyms for poorly

"Poorly" in song lyrics

See how poorly is used in real songs:

"Crook you're shook you started poorly"
Aesop Rock — Troubled Waters
"may I not call in vain and poorly"
Aztlan Underground — War Flowers
"Goin through tracks and flowin through raps poorly"
Breeze — Watch the Hook

Words that rhyme with poorly

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Usage tips for "poorly"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "poorly" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for poorly to find words that pair well.

Use "poorly" in a verse

Now that you know what "poorly" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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Frequently asked questions

What does poorly mean?: (`ill' is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well; "he was ill prepared"; "it ill befits a man to betray old friends"; "the car runs badly"; "he performed badly on the exam"; "the team played poorly"; "ill-fitting clothes"; "an ill- conceived plan" somewhat ill or prone to illness; "my poor ailing grandmother"; "feeling a bit indisposed today"; "you look a little peaked"; "feeling poorly"; "a sickly child"; "is unwell and can't come to work"
What part of speech is poorly?: Poorly is an adverb and an adjective.
How many definitions does poorly have?: Poorly has 2 definitions across 2 parts of speech (adverb, adjective).