How do you pronounce poorly?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpʊɹ.li/.

Where does poorly come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

poorly

/ˈpʊɹ.li/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.10 in modern English

Syllables: poor-ly
IPA: /ˈpʊɹ.li/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort.

adv

With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage.

adv

Meanly; without spirit.

adv

Without skill or merit.

adv

In a negative manner; with disapproval; unfavorably.

adj

Ill, unwell, sick.

British usage

Example Sentences

"to live poorly"
"He uses his employees poorly."
"to do poorly in business"
"“The Budget proposes eliminating Supporting Effective Instruction (SEI) State Grants (Title II State grants), a program that provides formula funds to States to improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other schools leaders. SEI grants are poorly targeted and funds are spread too thinly to have a meaningful impact on student outcomes."
"Nor is their courage or their wealth so low, / That from his wars they poorly would retire."
"He plays tennis poorly."

Etymology

From Middle English poorly, pouerly, poreliche, poureliche, pouerliche, equivalent to poor + -ly.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: poorly

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈpʊɹ.li/
British English: /ˈpʊə.li/

Usage

British usage

Inflected Forms

more poorly (comparative) poorlier (comparative, rare) most poorly (superlative) poorliest (rare, superlative) poorlier (comparative) poorliest (superlative)

Derived Forms

poorliness poorlyish

Synonyms

ailing indisposed peaked sickly unwell under the weather seedy ill badly

Rhymes With

kalgoorlie surely purely obscurely sorely