B2adverbeducationwork
US/ˈpɔːr.li/
UK/ˈpɔː.li/
in a way that is not good enough or not successful
In context
The children were poorly prepared for the exam.
The team played poorly in the second half and lost.
Many of the workers in that factory are poorly paid.
Words that go with poorly
adverb + adjective
- poorly paidNurses are often poorly paid for such hard work.
- poorly designedThe website is poorly designed and hard to use.
- poorly equippedThe village school was poorly equipped.
- poorly understoodThe causes of the disease are still poorly understood.
verb + adverb
- perform poorlySome students perform poorly under pressure.
- sell poorlyThe book sold poorly in its first year.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He speaks English poor.Correct: He speaks English poorly.