poor

adjective

ˈpu̇r

ˈpȯr

Synonyms of poor next

: lacking material possessions

: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty

: less than adequate : meager

: small in worth

: exciting pity

you poor thing

: inferior in quality or value

: humble, unpretentious

: mean, petty

: lean, emaciated

: barren, unproductive

—used of land

: indifferent, unfavorable

: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified

—often used in combination

oil-poor countries

poorish

ˈpu̇r-ish

ˈpȯr-

adjective

poorness noun

Example Sentences

We were too poor to buy new clothes. The organization helps poor families. She has a poor vocabulary. It was a poor attempt at a joke. He is in poor condition. She couldn't read the sign because her vision was too poor. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Now, the actor is sharing her personal experiences and championing the American Heart Association’s initiative to inform the public about chronic stress management and the impact of poor mental health on physical health. —

Bruna Nessif, Variety, 20 June 2023 Despite a search for the actor beginning, ground crews were taken off the mountain the next evening amid avalanche risks and poor trail conditions due to snow and ice. —

Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 June 2023 She was released early at age 69 because of poor health. —

Dante Chinni, NBC News, 18 June 2023 Skye Lazaro, Kouri's defense attorney in the murder case, said during a Monday bail hearing that making poor financial decisions does not make her client a murderer. —

Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 15 June 2023 Gideon Lichfield: But not just rural areas, there are lots of cities that have pretty poor public transit. —

Gideon Lichfield, WIRED, 14 June 2023 Having too much zinc can cause vomiting, poor appetite, stomach pain, headaches, and diarrhea. —

Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 13 June 2023 But if they are not being taken as prescribed because people are rationing them, cutting pills in half, or skipping doses, then this can lead to poor patient outcomes. —

Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 June 2023 The house proctor, Francis Murphy, recalled Kaczynski as a lonely boy with poor hygiene, the New York Times reported in the month after his arrest. —

Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 11 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poure, from Anglo-French povre, pore, from Latin pauper; akin to Latin paucus little and to Latin parere to give birth to, produce — more at few, pare

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of poor was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century