poor

adjective

ˈpu̇r  ˈpȯr 

1

a

: lacking sufficient money or material possessions

too poor to buy new clothes

b

: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty

a poor nation

2

a

: less than adequate : meager

a poor effort

poor attendance

b

: small in worth

3

: exciting pity

you poor thing

4

a

: inferior in quality or value

had poor language skills

b

: humble, unpretentious

c

: mean, petty

poor sports

5

: lean, emaciated

6

: barren, unproductive

—used of land

7

: indifferent, unfavorable

had a poor opinion of them

a poor profession

8

: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified

—often used in combination

oil-poor countries

poorish

ˈpu̇r-ish 

ˈpȯr-

adjective

poorness noun

Synonyms of poor

• impoverished
• broke

Examples of poor in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Diabetes can cause nerve damage, poor circulation, wounds and infections that may progress to amputation. — Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026

After a poor start to his career in Tennessee, Willis became more fundamentally sound with his footwork in Green Bay. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

The editorial praises the Shedd for trying to save the whales in this time of crisis, even though the animals had a record of previous poor living conditions and dubious care. — Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Curious schemes, plus bad tackling, contributed to a unit that was poor against the pass, and worse against the run. — Mac Engel october 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing poor

• a poor second/third/fourth
• bad/poor form
• bad/poor loser
• dirt-poor
• in poor/bad (etc.) condition
• in (very) bad/poor taste
• land-poor
• make a poor fist of
• poor/bad sport
• poor box
• poor boy
• poor devil
• poor farm
• poor law
• poor man's
• poor mouth
• poor/sad/sorry excuse for
• poor-spirited
• poor white
• the poor
• undeserving poor
• whip-poor-will

Kids Definition

poor

1 of 2 adjective

ˈpu̇(ə)r, 

ˈpō(ə)r

1

: lacking riches or possessions

2

: less than enough

a poor crop

3

: not good in quality or character of work

4

: lacking fertility

poor land

5

: not satisfactory

the patient had a poor day

6

: lacking in signs of wealth or good taste

poor furnishings

7

: worthy of pity or sympathy

the poor kitten hurt its paw

poorly adverb

poorness noun

poor

2 of 2 plural noun

: poor people

charity for the poor