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
Synonyms
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
The proposal has alarmed local groups that say the community has suffered poor health and government neglect for far too long.
—
Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance.
—Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Dec. 2024
So Arteta must rue the Gunners' poor run of form even more in the context of Cit's struggles.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Some of the animals seized in May have since died due to poor health caused by a lack of food and water when they were smuggled to Thailand.
—Chris Lau and Kocha Olarn, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poor 
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Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
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