How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. R. W. Holder. 2014.
Poorly — Poor ly, adv. 1. In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort; as, to live poorly. [1913 Webster] 2. With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage; as, to do poorly… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
poorly — is both an adverb (They all performed poorly) and an adjective (= unwell, Her husband had been poorly for months). As in this example, the adjective is normally used after a verb (such as be), rather than in attributive position (before a noun) … Modern English usage
Poorly — Poor ly, a. Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health. Having been poorly in health. T. Scott. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
poorly — [adj] not well ailing, below par, failing, ill, indisposed, low, mean, out of sorts*, rotten*, sick, sickly, under the weather*, unwell; concept 314 Ant. healthy, well poorly [adv] unsatisfactorily badly, crudely, defectively, inadequately,… … New thesaurus
poorly — [poor′lē] adv. 1. in a poor manner, as scantily, badly, or defectively 2. with a low opinion; disparagingly [thought poorly of it] adj. Informal in poor health … English World dictionary
poorly — (adv.) c.1300, from POOR (Cf. poor) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Meaning in ill health is from 1750 … Etymology dictionary
poorly — ► ADVERB ▪ in a poor manner. ► ADJECTIVE chiefly Brit. ▪ unwell … English terms dictionary
poorly — poor|ly1 [ˈpo:li US ˈpurli] adv badly ▪ Jana s doing poorly in school. ▪ poorly educated workers ▪ The article was poorly written. poorly 2 poorly2 adj BrE informal ill ▪ Matt s wife s been very poorly … Dictionary of contemporary English
poorly — 1 adverb badly: poorly paid | Jana s doing poorly in school. | a poorly written article 2 adjective (not before noun) informal especially BrE ill: Matt s wife s been feeling poorly … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
poorly — I UK [ˈpɔː(r)lɪ] / UK [ˈpʊə(r)lɪ] / US [ˈpʊrlɪ] adverb * badly a poorly paid job The hospital is poorly equipped. • be poorly off II UK [ˈpɔː(r)lɪ] / UK [ˈpʊə(r)lɪ] / US [ˈpʊrlɪ] adjective British informal ill … English dictionary
poorly — / pɔ:li/ adverb badly ● The offices are poorly laid out. ● The plan was poorly presented. ♦ poorly paid staff staff with low wages … Dictionary of banking and finance
