poorly

Poorly is an English word with several closely related senses. As an adverb, it describes actions or outcomes done in a bad or inferior manner, as in The team played poorly or The plan was poorly thought out. In British English, poorly can also function as a predicate adjective meaning ill or unwell: He is poorly today. In American usage this health sense is less common, with ill or sick preferred. As an adjective, poorly describes something of low quality or in a defective condition: a poorly designed app, a poorly executed project.

Etymology and grammar: Poorly is derived from the adjective poor, augmented by the suffix -ly to form an adverb. The form dates back to Middle English and remains common in both spoken and written English. It can modify verbs (perform poorly), adjectives (poorly written), or entire clauses (Poorly done, I think).

Usage notes: The choice between poorly and other terms often reflects regional variation and nuance. In evaluating quality or performance, poorly is a neutral descriptor, though more specific terms like inadequately or substandard may be more precise. In health contexts, the British sense of poorly as meaning ill is common, while American speakers typically say ill or sick. Common collocations include poorly written, poorly funded, poorly executed, and poorly maintained, which convey poor quality or execution across various domains.