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
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
poorness
noun
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
After wildfires hit Georgia in April 2026 fueled by a rain deficit, high winds and low humidity, — among other causes, per NASA — neighboring states got slammed with poor air quality alerts.
—
Ryan Brennan
may 19, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
The heated exchange occurred after Northern Ireland's McIlroy hit a poor shot on the 16th hole, which sent the ball straight into a bunker.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
However his attitude on health care and taxes places Newsom at odds with advocates for poor Californians who would be affected and their allies in the Legislature, many of whom want a tax increase.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Breslow attributed the downturn to poor decision-making and overspending.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
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Ryan Brennan
may 19, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
The heated exchange occurred after Northern Ireland's McIlroy hit a poor shot on the 16th hole, which sent the ball straight into a bunker.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
However his attitude on health care and taxes places Newsom at odds with advocates for poor Californians who would be affected and their allies in the Legislature, many of whom want a tax increase.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Breslow attributed the downturn to poor decision-making and overspending.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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