poorly

IPA

Dictionary definition of poorly

Done or performed in a deficient or unsatisfactory manner.
"The team performed poorly in the match, losing by a significant margin."

Detailed meaning of poorly

It signifies a lack of skill, proficiency, or quality in the way something is carried out. When used to modify a verb, "poorly" indicates that the action was done inadequately or with subpar results. For example, if someone sings poorly, it means their singing lacks quality, pitch accuracy, or overall ability. Similarly, if a task is poorly executed, it suggests that it was done with a lack of precision, competence, or attention to detail. Additionally, "poorly" can also describe the condition or health of someone or something. If someone is feeling poorly, it means they are unwell or experiencing discomfort. Similarly, if an animal is poorly, it implies they are in a weakened or sickly state. Overall, the adverb "poorly" highlights the substandard or insufficient nature of an action, performance, or condition.

Example sentences containing poorly

1. She played the piano poorly, hitting the wrong keys and missing the rhythm.
2. The student did poorly on the exam due to a lack of preparation.
3. Despite his best efforts, he communicated his ideas poorly during the presentation.
4. The car was poorly maintained, resulting in frequent breakdowns.
5. The restaurant received negative reviews because of their poorly cooked food.
6. The company's financial performance has been poorl y in recent years, with declining profits.

History and etymology of poorly

The adverb 'poorly' has its origins in the Middle English word 'poverly,' which in turn can be traced back to the Old French word 'povre' meaning 'poor' or 'destitute.' The suffix '-ly' was added to 'poverly' to form the adverb 'poorly.' This transformation reflects the evolution of language over time, as words adapt and change to suit the needs of communication. In its current usage, 'poorly' is employed to describe actions or performances that are executed in a deficient or unsatisfactory manner, emphasizing a lack of quality or skill.

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Further usage examples of poorly

1. The child behaved poorly in class, disrupting the lesson and not following instructions.
2. The project was poorly managed, leading to delays and cost overruns.
3. The painting was poorly executed, with uneven brushstrokes and lack of detail.
4. The teacher explained the concept poorly, leaving the students confused.
5. The website was poorly designed, with a confusing layout and slow loading times.
6. Despite his efforts, he performed poorly in the exam.
7. The project suffered due to its poorly defined goals.
8. The team's communication was handled poorly.
9. She managed her time poorly on that busy day.
10. The customer service representative responded poorly.
11. The machine was designed and built poorly.
12. The software update was implemented poorly.
13. The restaurant's food was cooked poorly tonight.
14. The document formatting was executed poorly.
15. The report was researched and written poorly.
16. The new policy was communicated poorly to employees.
17. The play was poorly attended despite good reviews.
18. The bridge was constructed with a poorly designed plan.
19. The instructions for assembly were written poorly.
20. The website's navigation was structured poorly.
21. His attempt at humor during the speech fell poorly.
22. The poorly lit room made it hard to see anything.
23. The decision to cut funding was made poorly.
24. The singer sang poorly due to a sore throat.
25. The company's finances were managed poorly.