# poorly

**Pronunciation:** /ˈpɔːr.li/ · POR-lee

**CEFR level:** A2

**Part of speech:** adverb

## Meaning 1: General Usage

In a way that is not good or satisfactory; badly.

## Examples

- The company performed poorly in the last quarter.
- He explained the rules poorly, and nobody understood.
- The building was poorly maintained and falling into disrepair.

## Meaning 2: Health

In ill health; sick.

## Examples

- She was feeling poorly and stayed home from work.
- The old dog has been poorly for a few days.
- He looked rather poorly after his long illness.

## Synonyms

- badly — General term for not well.
- inadequately — Not meeting requirements or standards.
- unsatisfactorily — Failing to meet expectations or needs.
- deficiently — Lacking a necessary quality or element.

## Antonyms

- well — In a good or satisfactory way.
- adequately — Sufficiently or acceptably.
- satisfactorily — In a way that meets needs or expectations.

## Common patterns

- perform poorly — To do badly in a task, job, or competition. — The stock market performed poorly last year.
- feel poorly — To feel sick or unwell. — I think I'll stay in bed; I feel poorly today.
- designed poorly — To be constructed or planned in a bad or ineffective way. — The car's engine was designed poorly, leading to frequent breakdowns.

## Collocations

- perform poorly — The team performed poorly in the championship game.
- designed poorly — The user interface was designed poorly, making it difficult to navigate.
- written poorly — His essay was written poorly and contained many grammatical errors.

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