1
a
: lacking material possessions
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty
2
a
: less than adequate : meager
b
: small in worth
3
: exciting pity
you poor thing
4
6
: barren, unproductive
—used of land
7
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
In an industry notorious for poor fit and lack of inclusivity, SNAG proves that sustainable products can also deliver comfort, durability, and representation.
—
Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Zhang, now 34, was born to a poor family in a small village in China’s Anhui province.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Olivier Rousteing‘s office high atop Balmain headquarters is rich in windows — offering lovely breezes and panoramic views of Paris rooftops — but rather poor on wall space for hanging pictures.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Produced for less than $300, the CESS uses braces, gloves, a collar, goggles, a weighted vest, and shoes with thick foam inserts to simulate the elderly’s experiences of blurry vision, stiff joints, poor balance, and fine-motor impairment.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
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Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Zhang, now 34, was born to a poor family in a small village in China’s Anhui province.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Olivier Rousteing‘s office high atop Balmain headquarters is rich in windows — offering lovely breezes and panoramic views of Paris rooftops — but rather poor on wall space for hanging pictures.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Produced for less than $300, the CESS uses braces, gloves, a collar, goggles, a weighted vest, and shoes with thick foam inserts to simulate the elderly’s experiences of blurry vision, stiff joints, poor balance, and fine-motor impairment.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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